1
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction
the destructive storm blew down trees all over town, and blew the roof off our neighbor's house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
technology used for destructive ends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of destructive
Trump’s orders have been similarly destructive of the American ideal of democracy.
—
William W Bedsworth, Oc Register, 26 May 2025
San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe praised investigators and prosecutors for sending a message that arsonists will be held accountable for their destructive actions.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
That means repairing the harm done to communities like Sandridge by stopping destructive projects from happening in the first place and reinvesting in what was taken—affordable housing, public transit, walkable streets, and meaningful access to jobs, schools, and services.
—Deborah N. Archer, Time, 21 May 2025
Of those, 11 strengthened into hurricanes and five became major hurricanes — including the massively destructive Hurricanes Helene and Milton and Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 storm on record.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
William W Bedsworth, Oc Register, 26 May 2025
San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe praised investigators and prosecutors for sending a message that arsonists will be held accountable for their destructive actions.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
That means repairing the harm done to communities like Sandridge by stopping destructive projects from happening in the first place and reinvesting in what was taken—affordable housing, public transit, walkable streets, and meaningful access to jobs, schools, and services.
—Deborah N. Archer, Time, 21 May 2025
Of those, 11 strengthened into hurricanes and five became major hurricanes — including the massively destructive Hurricanes Helene and Milton and Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 storm on record.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
-
The most devastating feedback came from a founder Landau idolized.—
Megan Bruneau,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Day laborers have been crucial to rebuilding efforts after Los Angeles County’s devastating January firestorms.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Though Rivera was strong on balance beam and floor, posting the highest mark on beam and the third-best on floor, a disastrous bar routine took the Olympian out of the gold medal race.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
-
Both Israel and Iran have nuclear capabilities, which means that any escalation in fighting could have disastrous consequences for the international community.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Selling bitcoin volatility into a bull market could prove fatal.—
Alexander S. Blume,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Here's what to know about the rare, but often fatal, disease.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
An unfortunate series of events in the eighth inning led to the Brewers going up 3-1.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2025
-
The polished old pro bent time and space, keeping the unfortunate new work to a minimum and running through his hits, reliving, nearly chronologically, the thrill of experiencing his catalog all over again at a speed run.—
Abe Beame,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share