The meaning of DESTRUCTIVE is causing destruction : ruinous. How to use destructive in a sentence.

/ dɪˈstrʌk.tɪv / Add to word list causing, or able to cause, damage: destructive power the destructive power of nuclear weapons

DESTRUCTIVE definition: tending to destroy; causing destruction or much damage (often followed by of orto ). See examples of destructive used in a sentence.

1. Causing or wreaking destruction; ruinous: a destructive act; a policy that is destructive to the economy. 2. Designed or tending to disprove or discredit: destructive criticism.

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.

Definition of destructive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

tending to destroy; causing destruction or much damage (often fol. by of or to): a very destructive windstorm. tending to overthrow, disprove, or discredit (opposed to constructive): destructive criticism.

Destructive refers to causing significant harm, damage, or disruption to something, often beyond repair. This could relate to physical items, emotional states, relationships, environments, or larger societal …

Jan 20, 2026 · Adjective destructive (comparative more destructive, superlative most destructive) Causing destruction; damaging.

Destructive definition: Causing or wreaking destruction; ruinous.