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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.

It is illegal under Philippine law and widely banned across Southeast Asia because of its destructive impact on marine ecosystems.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

“We just got the dams removed on the Klamath, and now you want to put another destructive life cycle interrupter in our ocean.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

“But, in the end, we lose our humanity when we are thrilled by the destructive power of our military.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

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

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Some people thought it was strange or even destructive to write in books, but it was a habit Emily had picked up when she was seven and used to play “editor” while her dad worked.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

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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