constructive
adjective
con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv 
1
: declared such by judicial construction or interpretation
constructive fraud
2
: of or relating to construction or creation
3
: promoting improvement or development
constructive criticism
constructively
adverb
constructiveness
noun
Examples of constructive in a Sentence
I tried to offer constructive criticism.
Your feedback was not very constructive.
The program helps people recently released from prison figure out how they can play a constructive role in society.
Recent Examples on the Web
Vanguard’s Cunniffe is also constructive on investment-grade bonds and says the expensive valuations are justified given the state of the economy and healthy corporate balance sheets.
—
Michelle Fox, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
—Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Nov. 2024
What kind of footage do people need to see for the United States to change its foreign policy in a way which would be constructive for the people who are living here, in a way which will push us towards some kind of political solution?
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
To engage and retain high performers, managers should provide constructive feedback, highlighting areas of growth.
—Rocki Howard, Harvard Business Review, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for constructive 
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Michelle Fox, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
—Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Nov. 2024
What kind of footage do people need to see for the United States to change its foreign policy in a way which would be constructive for the people who are living here, in a way which will push us towards some kind of political solution?
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
To engage and retain high performers, managers should provide constructive feedback, highlighting areas of growth.
—Rocki Howard, Harvard Business Review, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for constructive
Dictionary Entries Near constructive
Cite this Entry
“Constructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constructive. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
constructive
adjective
con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv
: helping to develop or improve something
constructive suggestions
constructively
adverb
constructiveness
noun
Legal Definition
constructive
adjective
con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv
: created by a legal fiction: as
a
: inferred by a judicial construction or interpretation
b
: not actual but implied by operation of the law
made a constructive entry when he refused to take the opportunity for a voluntary departure—Harvard Law Review
compare actual
Harvard Law Review
constructively
adverb
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