Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for destructive. Search instead for destructivit.
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.

Since his punishing trilogy with Tyson Fury - a rivalry that saw him knocked down five times and stopped twice - Wilder has struggled to rediscover his destructive form.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

So far, oil prices have remained below economically destructive levels—at least for Americans.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

In the Himalayas, which span Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and China, the impact of a lake burst can be particularly destructive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

This pattern can lead to more intense and destructive fire seasons.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

Many Kikongo words resemble English words backward and have antithetical meanings: Syebo is a horrible, destructive rain, that just exactly does not do what it says backward.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver