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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.

As a Wall Street Journal reporter, I’m aware of how divorce can be destructive financially.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Probing the tropes of rigid masculinity, “Half Man,” premiering Thursday on HBO, chronicles the destructive bond between two men over several decades.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Counterintuitively, Zander and Petersson believe that prioritizing professional relationships has allowed the band to avoid the destructive infighting that often plagues bands made up of best friends.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

This destructive effect, known since 1948, was at first believed to be confined to dogs, because it was not revealed in such experimental animals as monkeys, rats, or rabbits.

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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