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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
technology used for destructive ends
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destructive
This has led scientists to speculate on whether Antarctica may have been one of few safe environments, far from the destructive reaches of the Chicxulub impactor, for birds to develop in.
—
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
Although several destructive wildfires emerged, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire caused the most damage.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2025
California threatens to make the same mistake if the access to inmate firefighters prevents policymakers from focusing on the structural challenges caused by environmental factors and climate change that are producing more — and more destructive — fires.
—Justin Hawkins / Made By History, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
Though nicotine pouches are seen as a less destructive alternative to cigarettes, the American Lung Association stated that nicotine — a highly addictive chemical — is harmful in any form.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for destructive 
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
Although several destructive wildfires emerged, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire caused the most damage.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2025
California threatens to make the same mistake if the access to inmate firefighters prevents policymakers from focusing on the structural challenges caused by environmental factors and climate change that are producing more — and more destructive — fires.
—Justin Hawkins / Made By History, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
Though nicotine pouches are seen as a less destructive alternative to cigarettes, the American Lung Association stated that nicotine — a highly addictive chemical — is harmful in any form.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images President Donald Trump's freeze of U.S. foreign humanitarian aid and shuttering of the U.S. Agency for International Development is having devastating consequences globally, several humanitarian nongovernmental organization leaders told ABC News.—
Julia Cherner,
ABC News,
9 Feb. 2025
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After seeing the devastating impact of the 1918 pandemic on the nation’s soldiers and sailors, officials prioritized protecting the military from influenza.—
Alexandra M. Lord,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Gloria’s decision not to pay for an independent evaluation of warehouse health risks — in a city reeling from its disastrous acquisition of an uninhabitable Ash Street office tower — wasn’t just surprising.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
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Trying to implement changes in a hurry can have disastrous results.—
Stephanie Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For Matias and Rafael the risk is that this will prove to be a fatal attraction though.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Feb. 2025
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The Traffic Investigation Unit is looking into the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident, police said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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While injuries are always unfortunate, Lee’s absence should benefit a Horned Frogs team that struggled with Iowa State’s frontcourt on Sunday.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2025
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Over those few unfortunate seconds for Bills left guard David Edwards, Jones provided yet another vivid example of why he’s been a first team All-Pro for three years in a row.—
Dave Campbell,
Twin Cities,
3 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near destructive
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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