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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.

Modern popes believe the destructive power of modern weaponry means traditional just war criteria are rarely satisfied.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

After the world witnessed the destructive power of the atomic bomb, the U.S. launched initiatives to harness atomic energy for commercial projects.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

State wildlife officials have finally come up with a theory to explain where a giant, highly destructive rodent that’s been terrorizing California came from: Oregon.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

"You start to find other things that could be destructive instead of constructive. I've seen it countless times in boxing, the likes of Tyson Fury and the rest," he says.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

The wandering bands of storytelling Sapiens were the most important and most destructive force the animal kingdom had ever produced.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

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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