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Definitions

destructive

[dih-struhk-tiv] / dɪˈstrʌk tɪv /
ADJECTIVE
injurious, devastating
Synonyms
STRONGEST
calamitous cataclysmic catastrophic damaging deadly detrimental disastrous fatal harmful hurtful lethal pernicious ruinous suicidal toxic
WEAK
annihilative baleful baneful cancerous consumptive cutthroat deleterious dire eradicative evil extirpative fell internecine lethiferous mortal noisome noxious pestiferous pestilential slaughterous venomous wrackful wreckful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advantageous assisting beneficial blessed favorable fortunate harmless healthful helpful kind life-giving wholesome
WEAK
aiding building creative encouraging hopeful positive productive
ADJECTIVE
hurtful, disparaging
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adverse corrosive detrimental hostile negative offensive troublesome vicious
WEAK
abrasive antagonistic cankerous caustic contrary deleterious derogatory discouraging discrediting erosive injurious invalidating opposed undermining
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advantageous agreeable friendly gentle good helpful kind nice
WEAK
aiding assisting building creative encouraging hopeful positive productive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We just got the dams removed on the Klamath, and now you want to put another destructive life cycle interrupter in our ocean.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

He described himself as "speedy, skilful, handsome and destructive".

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Whether sinful passions or unconscious destructive urges, distracting attachments or visceral impulses, desire is the daemon that makes us act, often against our own interests and those of others.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

“But, in the end, we lose our humanity when we are thrilled by the destructive power of our military.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

At other times spraying, while reasonably effective against the target insect, has let loose a whole Pandora’s box of destructive pests that had never previously been abundant enough to cause trouble.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Vocabulary lists containing destructive

Latin Love, Vol I: struere

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Ocean Storm Alert!

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George's Key to the Universe, Lessons 1–5

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