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.

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

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

So who’s paying for these destructive therapy sessions?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

In the 20th Century, Germany used its powerful armies to wage some of the most destructive wars in human history, laying waste to much of the continent and killing millions.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

The most destructive wildfires in Southern California history.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

Jody tramped down, scuffling his shoes in a way he had been told was destructive to good shoe-leather.

From "The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck

destructive

Example Sentences

Related Words