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.
Synonyms: devastating, fatal, deadly, lethal More Synonyms of destructive
destructivenessuncountable noun
...the size of armies and the destructiveness of their weapons.
destructivelyadverb
Power can be used creatively or destructively.
More Synonyms of destructive
destructive in British English
(dɪˈstrʌktɪv)
adjective
1. (oftenpostpositive and foll by of or to)
causing or tending to cause the destruction (of)
2.
intended to disprove or discredit, esp without positive suggestions or help; negative
destructive criticism
Compare constructive (sense 1)
Derived forms
destructively (deˈstructively)
adverb
destructiveness (deˈstructiveness) or destructivity (ˌdiːstrʌkˈtɪvɪtɪ)
noun
destructive in American English
(dɪˈstrʌktɪv)
adjective
1.
tending or likely to cause destruction
2.
causing or producing destruction; destroying
3.
merely negative; not helpful
destructive criticism
Derived forms
destructively (deˈstructively)
adverb
destructiveness (deˈstructiveness)
noun or ˌdeˌstrucˈtivity (ˌdiˌstrʌkˈtɪvəti; dɪˌstrʌkˈtɪvəti)
Word origin
OFr destructif < LL destructivus
Examples of 'destructive' in a sentence
destructive
Tell her being distant emotionally and physically will be destructive for your relationship.
The Sun (2017)
We shudder to imagine what destructive power they would then wield.
The Sun (2016)
In the case of darker parts of the internet, the algorithms produce a destructive positive feedback effect.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But larger destructive forces were at work.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We need confidence to leave destructive relationships.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Such is the destructive power of the next tornado.
Geoffrey A. Moore INSIDE THE TORNADO: MARKETING STRATEGIES FROM SILICON VALLEY'S CUTTING EDGE (2001)
These three destructive patterns of behaviour can be changed for something much better.
Tondeur, Keith Say Goodbye to Debt (1994)
Tackling players and being negative and destructive is the easy part of the game.
The Sun (2014)
The nightly encounter with death has destructive effects.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This challenges negative thought patterns and suggests changes to destructive behaviour.
The Sun (2008)
This whole thing turned out to be destructive to our relationship for more than three years.
Christianity Today (2000)
Otherwise we keep seeking out the same damaging and destructive patterns.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The blast rolled back and forth to maximum destructive effect.
Patrick Bishop FIGHTER BOYS: Saving Britain 1940 (2003)
These are common issues that can become overwhelming and can also fuel destructive behaviour.
The Sun (2011)
Some people are drawn to these destructive relationships.
The Sun (2012)
Jealousy can have an equally destructive effect.
Butterworth, Jane Why Am I Afraid to Divorce? (1994)
The sense of anguish the dog feels can be the cause of some terrible destructive behaviour.
Jan Fennell, Foreword by Monty Roberts THE DOG LISTENER: Learning the Language of your Best Friend (2002)
These destructive patterns may either be directed toward their own group or toward members of the dominant group.
Nightingale, Carl Husemoller On the Edge: A History of Poor Black Children and Their American Dreams (1993)
This destructive force has shaped British culture.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That they often descend into ugly, destructive power struggles.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They are at best indifferent, at worst destructive alien forces.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
As well as being marvellous, they have amazing destructive power.
The Sun (2013)
Instead, the power of presidents has more usually been negative and destructive rather than positive and constructive.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Their destructive force is subtle.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We must aim to redress the balance between the stress which is exciting and positive, and that which is destructive and negative.
Whiteside, Dr Mike Banish Headaches -how to obtain fast, drug-free relief from headache (1990)
In other languages
destructive
British English: destructive ADJECTIVE
Something that is destructive causes or is capable of causing great damage, harm, or injury.
...the awesome destructive power of nuclear weapons.
American English: destructive
Brazilian Portuguese: destrutivo
Chinese: 毁坏性的
European Spanish: destructivo
French: destructeur
German: zerstörerisch
Italian: distruttivo
Japanese: 破壊的な
Korean: 파괴적인
European Portuguese: destrutivo
Latin American Spanish: destructivo
All related terms of 'destructive'
destructive power
If someone has power , they have a lot of control over people and activities.
self-destructive
Self-destructive behaviour is harmful to the person who behaves in that way.
destructive emotions
An emotion is a feeling such as happiness, love , fear, anger , or hatred , which can be caused by the situation that you are in or the people you are with.
destructive distillation
the decomposition of a complex substance, such as wood or coal , by heating it in the absence of air and collecting the volatile products
non-destructive testing
Non-destructive testing is the examination of the quality of a component without changing it in any way.
non-destructive testing techniques
Non-destructive testing techniques are methods of testing for or measuring flaws which do not destroy the thing, for example a pipeline , that is being tested.
dry distillation
the decomposition of a complex substance, such as wood or coal , by heating it in the absence of air and collecting the volatile products
Chinese translation of 'destructive'
destructive
(dɪsˈtrʌktɪv)
adj
[capacity, force]破坏(壞)性的 (pòhuàixìng de)
[child, person]有危害的 (yǒu wēihài de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
causing or capable of causing harm, damage, or injury
the awesome destructive power of nuclear weapons
Synonyms
devastating
the devastating force of the floods
fatal
It dealt a fatal blow to his chances.
deadly
a deadly disease currently affecting dolphins
lethal
a lethal dose of sleeping pills
harmful
the harmful effects of smoking
damaging
Is the recycling process damaging to the environment?
catastrophic
A tidal wave caused catastrophic damage.
detrimental
These foods are considered detrimental to health.
hurtful
Her comments were very hurtful to Mrs Green's family.
pernicious (formal)
the pernicious effects of alcoholism
noxious
carbon monoxide and other noxious gases
ruinous
the ruinous effects of the conflict
calamitous
a calamitous air crash
cataclysmic
Few had expected the change to be as cataclysmic as it was.
baleful
He had a baleful look.
deleterious (formal)
Fear of crime is having a deleterious effect on society.
injurious
Stress in itself is not necessarily injurious.
baneful
maleficent
2 (adjective)
Definition
intended to discredit, esp. without positive suggestions or help
Try to give constructive rather than destructive criticism.
Synonyms
negative
There's no point in going along to an interview with a negative attitude.
hostile
hostile to the idea of foreign intervention
discouraging
undermining
contrary
Why must you always be so contrary?
vicious
adverse
The decision would have no adverse effect on the investigation.
discrediting
disparaging
antagonistic
derogatory
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adverse
Definition
unfavourable to one's interests
The decision would have no adverse effect on the investigation.