destructive
adjective
de·struc·tive
di-ˈstrək-tiv 
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
Among filmmakers, it was seen as a potentially destructive maneuver—the silver left on the negative could damage it over time.
—
Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The Rise Of Cyber Resilience One of the main reasons the focus has shifted from cybersecurity to cyber resilience is the rise in destructive cyberattacks.
—James Blake, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
The horrendously destructive and deadly Los Angeles wildfires erupted in January just as Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s historic and very controversial overhaul of how insurers calculate premiums was taking effect.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
The problem is that this will require Trump to consistently channel his best geopolitical instincts when he will be sorely tempted to follow his most destructive ones instead.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
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Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The Rise Of Cyber Resilience One of the main reasons the focus has shifted from cybersecurity to cyber resilience is the rise in destructive cyberattacks.
—James Blake, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
The horrendously destructive and deadly Los Angeles wildfires erupted in January just as Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s historic and very controversial overhaul of how insurers calculate premiums was taking effect.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
The problem is that this will require Trump to consistently channel his best geopolitical instincts when he will be sorely tempted to follow his most destructive ones instead.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destructive. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
destructive
adjective
de·struc·tive
di-ˈstrək-tiv
1
: causing destruction : ruinous
a destructive storm
2
: designed or tending to hurt or destroy
destructive criticism
destructively
adverb
destructiveness
noun
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