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 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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 23 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share