destructive
[ dih-struhk-tiv ]
/ dɪˈstrʌk tɪv /
adjective
tending to destroy; causing destruction or much damage (often followed by of or to): a very destructive windstorm.
tending to overthrow, disprove, or discredit (opposed to constructive): destructive criticism.
Origin of destructive
1480–90; < Middle French < Late Latin
dēstructīvus, equivalent to Latin
dēstruct(us) (see
destruction) +
-īvus
-ive
SYNONYMS FOR destructive
OTHER WORDS FROM destructive
Words nearby destructive
Example sentences from the Web for destructively
British Dictionary definitions for destructively
destructive
/ (dɪˈstrʌktɪv) /
adjective
(often postpositive and foll by of or to)
causing or tending to cause the destruction (of)
intended to disprove or discredit, esp without positive suggestions or help; negative
destructive criticism Compare constructive (def. 1)