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
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2
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
technology used for destructive ends
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destructive
Trump threatened to withhold federal aid for California wildfires
Trump’s second term began as several states recovered from destructive storms and wildfires.
—
Katie Smith, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025
At this moment, California faces two crises: horribly destructive and deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County and fears that President Donald Trump will either deny federal relief or use it as leverage to force California to change its policies.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2025
Newsom’s latest executive order is the latest in a series designed to speed up rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles as the city contends with the aftermath of the most destructive fires in state history.
—Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025
The Mafia appears to be both weaponizing climate change, which is whipping up more destructive fires, as well as trying to exploit funding intended to address it.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for destructive 
Katie Smith, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025
At this moment, California faces two crises: horribly destructive and deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County and fears that President Donald Trump will either deny federal relief or use it as leverage to force California to change its policies.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2025
Newsom’s latest executive order is the latest in a series designed to speed up rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles as the city contends with the aftermath of the most destructive fires in state history.
—Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025
The Mafia appears to be both weaponizing climate change, which is whipping up more destructive fires, as well as trying to exploit funding intended to address it.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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Electrical equipment — transmission lines in particular — has been the source of some of the most devastating wildfires in California and across the country.—
Ivan Penn,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2025
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Almost two years ago, the BBC greenlit a three-part drama about the Grenfell Tower fire, a national tragedy in which 72 people perished in a devastating blaze at a London housing block.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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It’s been a disastrous few months for Iran and its ability to threaten its regional rivals and enemies.—
Ian Bremmer,
TIME,
2 Feb. 2025
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After a disastrous trip to Mexico where Irina appeared repulsed by everything Zack did, the couple split and Zack went crawling back to Bliss.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Examining early images of the wreckage after a midair collision in Washington, DC 02:41 New York CNN — US airlines had gone 16 years without a fatal crash until Wednesday night.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
30 Jan. 2025
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Follow more of our reporting on Wichita American Airlines plane crash in Washington, D.C. Local Teen figure skater ‘rocketing to the top of the sport’ and his mom killed in plane crash January 30, 2025 1:54 PM National How common are fatal crashes with military aircraft?—
Daniel Desrochers,
Kansas City Star,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Jeep so far wants to keep pricing for those lower-spec Wagoneer EVs under wraps, though, even if the heart of the run will undoubtedly help the first electric Jeep more effectively escape from unfortunate comparisons to such stiff competition.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Ars Technica,
27 Jan. 2025
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Metro Denver's office vacancy rate is reaching new — and unfortunate — highs.—
Esteban L. Hernandez,
Axios,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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