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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destructive
The storm's destructive reach will stretch across the border regions of the states of Queensland and New South Wales, the bureau said, bringing heavy rain, flooding and damaging wind.
—
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
The selection also features Syrian director Anas Khalaf’s Love 45 about an overweight Lebanese man who is caught in a destructive spiral, which is in production.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
The Palisades and Eaton wildfires – the most destructive in recent years – left 29 people dead and scorched nearly 60,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
—Hanna Park, Karina Tsui and Amanda Jackson, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
Addiction is cruel and destructive, but also holding that secret in the hopes that loved ones recover privately can ruin communities, families, and friends who are all held hostage in that shame.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
The selection also features Syrian director Anas Khalaf’s Love 45 about an overweight Lebanese man who is caught in a destructive spiral, which is in production.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
The Palisades and Eaton wildfires – the most destructive in recent years – left 29 people dead and scorched nearly 60,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
—Hanna Park, Karina Tsui and Amanda Jackson, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
Addiction is cruel and destructive, but also holding that secret in the hopes that loved ones recover privately can ruin communities, families, and friends who are all held hostage in that shame.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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Critics of the Trump administration say its efforts to nullify the agency will cripple American influence overseas and carry devastating effects for some of the most vulnerable populations in the world, which relied on U.S. funding for health care, food, and other basic needs.—
Lucien Bruggeman,
ABC News,
18 Mar. 2025
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King Charles will also meet local farmers, whose land and crops have been severely affected by devastating floods that have hit the region in recent years.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Thuney, who was traded to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick in 2026, held up fairly well — even earning team MVP honors — until the disastrous Super Bowl LIX when Patrick Mahomes was sacked six times and hit five more.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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According to a study by Beacon Economics, this has been particularly disastrous for workers, ages 16 to 19.—
Matt Fleming,
Orange County Register,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Sometimes the women might be bleeding seriously or has a miscarriage or other fatal issues.—
Ellie Kaufman,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2025
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State police are seeking witnesses to a fatal bicyclist crash on Tuesday night in Canyon County.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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With a 6-5 record in 11 games post-All Star Weekend (including 2-3 in their last five), Tom Thibodeau's Knicks have been in a bit of a rut that began before Brunson's unfortunate injury.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Thankfully on one unfortunate visit Puligny had a town cooperative with plenty of wine to drink and a phone number for a man with a van to return us and our bicycles to our hotel in Beaune.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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