destructive
dih-STRUHK-tihv
Destructive (adjective) means causing or tending to cause serious damage. Example: “Children sometimes go through a destructive phase and break their toys.”
adjective
1
Causing or tending to cause serious damage.
"Children sometimes go through a destructive phase and break their toys."
"The storm was the most destructive in the region's history."
"His gambling became a destructive habit."
How to use destructive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTending to cause damage or ruin.
Common pairings
highly destructive
a destructive habit
destructive force
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more destructive
- Superlative
- most destructive
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Children sometimes go through a _____ phase and break their toys.
Etymology
From Latin destructivus, from destruere, "to destroy".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for destructive
See all rhymes for destructive →Frequently asked questions
What does “destructive” mean?
The word “destructive” means causing or tending to cause serious damage. In plain terms, tending to cause damage or ruin.
How do you pronounce “destructive”?
“Destructive” is pronounced dih-STRUHK-tihv (/dɪˈstɹʌktɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “destructive” in a sentence?
Here is “destructive” used in a sentence: “The storm was the most destructive in the region's history.”
What is another word for “destructive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “destructive” include calamitous, catastrophic, devastating, disastrous, eradicative and harmful.
What is the opposite of “destructive”?
The opposite of “destructive” — its antonyms — are constructive, nondestructive, non-destructive and productive.
What part of speech is “destructive”?
“Destructive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “destructive” come from?
The word “destructive” comes from Latin. From Latin destructivus, from destruere, "to destroy".
Is “destructive” a common word?
“Destructive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "destructive" and "constructive"?
"Destructive" and "constructive" are opposites: destructive means causing damage or tearing down, while constructive means helpful and building up. For example, "destructive criticism" attacks without helping, whereas "constructive criticism" points out problems while suggesting improvements.
What is the difference between "destructive" and "damaging"?
Both describe harm, but "destructive" is stronger and implies the power to destroy or ruin something, while "damaging" can refer to lesser or partial harm. A destructive storm may level buildings, whereas a damaging remark simply causes some hurt.
When should you use "destructive" instead of "harmful"?
Use "destructive" when something actively damages, breaks, or ruins, especially on a large or violent scale. Choose "harmful" for milder harm that may be indirect or gradual, such as a harmful habit, which does not necessarily destroy anything.
What words commonly go with "destructive"?
"Destructive" frequently pairs with forces and behaviors, as in "destructive storm," "destructive power," "destructive behavior," "self-destructive," and "destructive criticism." It typically describes something with the capacity to cause serious damage.
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