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Showing results for destructive.
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.

Muir was a key player for John Mitchell's side throughout the World Cup with her destructive ball-carrying and scrummaging.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

And the lyrics are really about a destructive relationship, allegedly based on Felicia's experiences in the music industry.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Our weapons are more destructive today, but they are also more accurate.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Two enormously destructive bombing campaigns in eight months altered Iran’s calculations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

One of the most destructive enemies of cotton is the bollworm.

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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