constructive

adjective

con·​struc·​tive kən-ˈstrək-tiv 

1

: declared such by judicial construction or interpretation

constructive fraud

2

: of or relating to construction or creation

3

: promoting improvement or development

constructive criticism

constructively adverb

constructiveness noun

Synonyms

• formative
• productive

Examples of constructive in a Sentence

I tried to offer constructive criticism.

Your feedback was not very constructive.

The program helps people recently released from prison figure out how they can play a constructive role in society.

Recent Examples on the Web

If there isn't any, replace the thought with something constructive. —Dr. Michelle Penelope King, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Let a song, book, movie, hobby, or craft transport you away from the fear and hate and to a positive, creative, constructive mindset. —Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025

While still maintaining that Zelenskyy’s key message was correct, some Ukrainians have suggested that his emotional tone in the Oval Office was not constructive. —Lena Surzhko Harned, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025

Deutsche Bank’s composite investor positioning measure fell hard to the dead-neutral zone at week’s end, a constructive though not decisive development. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for constructive

• abductive
• conductive
• deductive
• destructive
• inductive
• instructive
• obstructive
• productive
• reductive
• seductive
• counterproductive
• photoconductive

Kids Definition

constructive

adjective

con·​struc·​tive kən-ˈstrək-tiv 

: helping to develop or improve something

constructive suggestions

constructively adverb

constructiveness noun

Legal Definition

constructive

adjective

con·​struc·​tive kən-ˈstrək-tiv 

: created by a legal fiction: as

a

: inferred by a judicial construction or interpretation

b

: not actual but implied by operation of the law

made a constructive entry when he refused to take the opportunity for a voluntary departure

—Harvard Law Review

compare actual

constructively adverb