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
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2
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
technology used for destructive ends
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Recent Examples of destructive
Because of the camp's prior history of flooding, including a destructive flood in 1932, the Eastlands knew that there was a risk for catastrophe at Mystic, the suit said.
—
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Utility rate freezes would only disincentivize utility companies from upgrading their transmission infrastructure, possibly setting the stage for more destructive wildfires in the future.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
This includes destructive cells such as cancerous cells, making oregano oil useful in preventing heart disease, cancer and many other diseases.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
If Sarandos is thinking a 45-day window to streaming, that’s still rather destructive to the business.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Utility rate freezes would only disincentivize utility companies from upgrading their transmission infrastructure, possibly setting the stage for more destructive wildfires in the future.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
This includes destructive cells such as cancerous cells, making oregano oil useful in preventing heart disease, cancer and many other diseases.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
If Sarandos is thinking a 45-day window to streaming, that’s still rather destructive to the business.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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Charbonnet and Walker made up the running back duo that was the pace-changer for the Seahawks offense, the complement to their devastating aerial attack led by Sam Darnold.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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As a result, their students experienced minimal learning loss and fewer social-emotional setbacks; public school students saw devastating declines in achievement and well-being.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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However, despite his thin background, when the financial crisis of that decade broke out, Warsh was by all accounts knowledgeable and effective in the Fed’s efforts to prevent a disastrous meltdown of financial markets.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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Political commentator Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and first-time candidate, made the argument to viewers that California’s problems have been caused by the disastrous policies of the people who have been in power during 16 years of one-party – Democratic party – rule.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Italy’s specialist mountain rescue organization revealed the fatal disasters were caused by weak layers of fresh snow, unstable enough that the passage of a single person could trigger an avalanche.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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The fatal shootings and immigration agents' tactics in Minnesota have alienated a growing share of Americans and caused friction within the Republican Party.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The two recent deaths in Minneapolis are an unfortunate result of less-then-peaceful protesting.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
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The 2025 August slide from the Padre with the biggest contract was especially unfortunate as the Padres (16-12 in August) were unable to fully capitalize on the Dodgers’ struggles (15-13 in August) to overtake them in the NL West.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This sympathetic surge is caused by the release of noradrenaline, which, in the context of cancer, has catastrophic consequences.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
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Jerome Powell, the Fed’s current chair, made a choice to avert a catastrophic economic crash during the COVID-19 pandemic, accepting the risk of a bout of inflation.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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