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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.

If this event was such a destructive experience, why save it for the end except to provide a theatrical flourish—and a rather too pat explanation for his troubled life?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

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

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

“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

“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

“Is that the item of immense destructive power that you won’t tell me about—that’s supposed to be classified? Moreau seemed pretty sure he could get it even without trading VanQuish.”

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

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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