The meaning of DESTRUCTIVE is causing destruction : ruinous. How to use destructive in a sentence.

Something is destructive when it really messes things up. The word destructive comes from the Latin destruere which means literally to unbuild. In addition to describing a storm or battle, the word can be …

/ dɪˈstrʌk.tɪv / Add to word list causing, or able to cause, damage: destructive power the destructive power of nuclear weapons

1. Causing or wreaking destruction; ruinous: a destructive act; a policy that is destructive to the economy. 2. Designed or tending to disprove or discredit: destructive criticism.

Definition of destructive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Something that is destructive causes or is capable of causing great damage, harm, or injury. ...the awesome destructive power of nuclear weapons. Guilt can be very destructive.

tending to destroy; causing destruction or much damage (often fol. by of or to): a very destructive windstorm. tending to overthrow, disprove, or discredit (opposed to constructive): destructive criticism.

Destructive refers to causing significant harm, damage, or disruption to something, often beyond repair. This could relate to physical items, emotional states, relationships, environments, or larger societal …

Feb 24, 2026 · Adjective destructive (comparative more destructive, superlative most destructive) Causing destruction; damaging.

The word "destructive" encompasses a wide range of meanings and uses, all pointing to the theme of harm and damage. Its relevance spans across environmental, psychological, social, and cultural …