destructive

[dih-struhk-tiv]

adjective

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

   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. 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

Other Word Forms

• destructively adverb
• destructiveness noun
• destructivity noun
• interdestructive adjective
• interdestructively adverb
• interdestructiveness noun
• nondestructive adjective
• nondestructively adverb
• nondestructiveness noun
• overdestructive adjective
• overdestructively adverb
• overdestructiveness noun
• semidestructive adjective
• undestructive adjective
• undestructively adverb
• undestructiveness noun

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

Example Sentences

In this respect “I Know This Much Is True” also is a dramatic tapestry of destructive anger issues, festering under a lifetime of repressed resentment and confusion.

From Salon

A story of passion and revenge, it is based on the original story of the destructive, obsessive love between Catherine Earnshaw and the foundling Heathcliff.

From BBC

In Melbourne, it was frustration at being unable to cope with Madison Keys' destructive power.

From BBC

Shallow earthquakes are common in the country and are more destructive, as seismic waves have less of a distance to travel to the Earth's surface and therefore retain much of their power.

From BBC

"It's an invitation to tell it to the wall – to let it out on the wall and do something a bit destructive," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• calamitous 
• cataclysmic 
• catastrophic 
• damaging 
• deadly 
• detrimental 
• disastrous 
• fatal 
• harmful 
• hurtful 
• lethal 
• pernicious 
• ruinous 
• suicidal 
• toxic