destructive

adjective

de·​struc·​tive di-ˈstrək-tiv 

1

: causing destruction : ruinous

destructive storm

2

: designed or tending to hurt or destroy

destructive criticism

destructively adverb

destructiveness noun

Synonyms of destructive

• devastating
• disastrous
• devastative

Examples of destructive in a Sentence

It was one of the most destructive storms in recent memory.

She argued that the law was destructive of personal liberties.

The school is concerned about the destructive behavior of a few students.

Recent Examples on the Web

Already this year, hurricanes have intensified rapidly in the Pacific, and Hawaii has had close calls with several hurricanes that brought destructive rain and wind. — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026

Best of all, the stylization doesn’t aestheticize the bloodshed but terrifyingly drives home the destructive waste. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Recent warnings about the potential destructive power of AI are understating the severity of the situation. — Geoffrey Irving, Time, 3 Oct. 2026

Desperate to change, Tonya turns to her estranged mother, Wanda (Miller), who offers little concern and instead accuses her of repeating the same destructive patterns that shaped her own childhood. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing destructive

• destructive distillation
• self-destructive

Rhymes for destructive

• abductive
• conductive
• constructive
• deductive
• inductive
• instructive
• obstructive
• productive
• reductive
• seductive
• counterproductive
• photoconductive

Kids Definition

destructive

adjective

de·​struc·​tive di-ˈstrək-tiv 

1

: causing destruction : ruinous

a destructive storm

2

: designed or tending to hurt or destroy

destructive criticism

destructively adverb

destructiveness noun