1
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction
the destructive storm blew down trees all over town, and blew the roof off our neighbor's house
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2
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
technology used for destructive ends
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Recent Examples of destructive
This has led scientists to speculate on whether Antarctica may have been one of few safe environments, far from the destructive reaches of the Chicxulub impactor, for birds to develop in.
—
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
Although several destructive wildfires emerged, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire caused the most damage.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2025
California threatens to make the same mistake if the access to inmate firefighters prevents policymakers from focusing on the structural challenges caused by environmental factors and climate change that are producing more — and more destructive — fires.
—Justin Hawkins / Made By History, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
Though nicotine pouches are seen as a less destructive alternative to cigarettes, the American Lung Association stated that nicotine — a highly addictive chemical — is harmful in any form.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
Although several destructive wildfires emerged, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire caused the most damage.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2025
California threatens to make the same mistake if the access to inmate firefighters prevents policymakers from focusing on the structural challenges caused by environmental factors and climate change that are producing more — and more destructive — fires.
—Justin Hawkins / Made By History, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
Though nicotine pouches are seen as a less destructive alternative to cigarettes, the American Lung Association stated that nicotine — a highly addictive chemical — is harmful in any form.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destructive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destructive
Adjective
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Turmoil continues in Haiti The Obama administration granted TPS to Haiti in 2010, after a devastating magnitude 7.1 earthquake destroyed the Haitian capital.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
22 Feb. 2025
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Bass cited Crowley’s response to last month’s devastating wildfires in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods that destroyed thousands of homes and killed 29 people.—
Ethan Millman,
Rolling Stone,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Three campaigns stand out — one weirdly funny, one weirdly disastrous and one weirdly endearing.—
Steven Hyden,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
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Victor Kristiansen, January 2023 Similar to Faes, Kristiansen only knows a relegation dogfight in the Premier League after joining midway through the disastrous 2022-23 season.—
Rob Tanner,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Gordon Cordeiro had his freedom secured on Friday after a judge ordered him released in light of new DNA evidence that led to the overturning of his conviction in the 1994 fatal shooting of Timothy Blaisdell on the island of Maui.—
Landon Mion,
Fox News,
23 Feb. 2025
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Even a pencil tip amount of the synthetic opioid pain reliever drug can be fatal, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There is an unfortunate flipside, though: Bond Could Receive Questionable Franchise Extensions That’s been the fear since Amazon acquired MGM in 2020.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
21 Feb. 2025
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But over the last few weeks, bagel eaters around the city have been confronted with some unfortunate news: Signs are plastered across shop counters stating a $1.25 additional surcharge for any bagel sandwiches featuring eggs.—
Zoya Hasan,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destructive. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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