destructive

adjective

de·​struc·​tive di-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce destructive (audio)
1
: causing destruction : ruinous
destructive storm
2
: designed or tending to hurt or destroy
destructive criticism
destructively adverb
destructiveness noun

Examples of destructive in a Sentence

It was one of the most destructive storms in recent memory. She argued that the law was destructive of personal liberties. The school is concerned about the destructive behavior of a few students.
Recent Examples on the Web Possessing an unregistered destructive device is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 While in Southern California, Santa Ana winds don’t tend to stoke fire growth until later in the summer and fall, in Northern California, destructive fires that take place in May and June are typically related to a wind event, Wachter said. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Xcel, which operates utilities in 8 states in the central and Western US, also faces lawsuits that accuse one of its units of starting the most destructive fire in Colorado history. David R. Baker, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 With drought and wildfire becoming more destructive in the state, insurance rates for Texas homeowners rose by 53.6 percent between 2019 and 2023, per the New York Times. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 Conversely, men score higher than women on dark side personality traits, such narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and aggression (especially unprovoked), which account for much of the toxic and destructive behaviors displayed by powerful leaders - usually male - who derail. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The smuggling of gold into Egypt has received less attention, but these illicit exports are also helping perpetuate violent conflict. Cutting off Sudanese leaders’ ability to smuggle gold would not only reduce their ability to continue their destructive fighting. John Prendergast, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2024 The charge of possession of an unregistered destructive device is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison. City News Service, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 The women had suffered lithium poisoning while working at battery factories and began to break into fits of destructive rage during their shifts. Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'destructive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destructive was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near destructive

Cite this Entry

“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destructive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

destructive

adjective
de·​struc·​tive di-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce destructive (audio)
1
: causing destruction : ruinous
a destructive storm
2
: designed or tending to hurt or destroy
destructive criticism
destructively adverb
destructiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on destructive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!