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View synonyms for destructive

destructive

[ dih-struhk-tiv ]

adjective

  1. tending to destroy; causing destruction or much damage (often followed by of or to ):

    a very destructive windstorm.

    Synonyms: deleterious, ruinous

    Antonyms: creative

  2. tending to overthrow, disprove, or discredit ( constructive ):

    destructive criticism.

    Synonyms: negative, adverse, unfavorable

    Antonyms: constructive



destructive

/ dɪˈstrʌktɪv; ˌdiːstrʌkˈtɪvɪtɪ /

adjective

  1. oftenpostpositive and foll by of or to causing or tending to cause the destruction (of)
  2. intended to disprove or discredit, esp without positive suggestions or help; negative Compare constructive

    destructive criticism

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • deˈstructively, adverb
  • deˈstructiveness, noun
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Other Words From

  • de·structive·ly adverb
  • de·structive·ness de·struc·tiv·i·ty [dee-struhk-, tiv, -i-tee], noun
  • inter·de·structive adjective
  • inter·de·structive·ly adverb
  • inter·de·structive·ness noun
  • nonde·structive adjective
  • nonde·structive·ly adverb
  • nonde·structive·ness noun
  • over·de·structive adjective
  • over·de·structive·ly adverb
  • over·de·structive·ness noun
  • semi·de·structive adjective
  • unde·structive adjective
  • unde·structive·ly adverb
  • unde·structive·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of destructive1

First recorded in 1480–90; from Middle French, from Late Latin dēstructīvus, from Latin dēstruct(us) “demolished, torn down” ( destruction ) + -īvus -ive
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Example Sentences

Most such flares develop when two neutron stars collide or there is some other destructive cosmic event.

I was so angry at the time, and I knew I needed to channel these self-destructive qualities and turn that negative into a positive.

However, as you mentioned, there are already four deaths in Washington of which the situation is less violent and destructive than that in Hong Kong.

So it isn’t surprising that too many are now grappling with serious depression, becoming self-destructive, or losing motivation for school.

From Time

We are learning the hard way about their destructive effects on society and democracy.

From Time

Anger often manifests in withholders as another self-destructive but more socially acceptable feeling or behavior, like anxiety.

It has a presence, it remains potentially destructive, but all we can do is attempt to marshal it.

To break her self-destructive cycle and heal, she decides to hike 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail solo.

When we assign a primitive “not me” status to another individual or social group, it can—and does—take us down a destructive path.

This structure is particularly destructive for children in low-income families.

A tremendous tornado passed over the city of Natchez, very destructive to life and property.

A destructive tornado swept over a portion of Lapeer county, Michigan.

The planter passes entire nights, provided with lights, clearing the buds just opening, of these destructive insects.

There is another effect from hurricanes which is even more destructive to life than that caused by the direct action of the wind.

By that time, however, the Scots had completed another destructive raid.

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