Destructive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /di-ˈstrək-tiv/ de·struc·tive

Meaning & Definition of Destructive

Destructive (adjective)

  1. causing destruction, ruinous
  2. designed or tending to hurt or destroy

Destructive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. causing or tending to cause destruction

    "the destructive storm blew down trees all over town, and blew the roof off our neighbor's house"

    similar: annihilatory, calamitous, cataclysmal, devastating, devastative, disastrous, ruinous
    related: antibiotic, biocidal, baleful, deadly, deathly, fatal, fell, killer, lethal, mortal, murderous, pestilent, poisonous, virulent, vital, deleterious, detrimental, harmful, pernicious
    opposite: nondestructive
    near: preservative, protective, constructive, creative, formative, productive, harmless, innocent, innocuous, inoffensive, ameliorative, helpful, useful, healthful, healthy, nonfatal, nonlethal, salubrious, wholesome

  2. bringing about ruin or misfortune

    "technology used for destructive ends"

    similar: calamitous, cataclysmal, catastrophic, damning, disastrous, fatal, fateful, ruinous, unfortunate
    related: apocalyptic, hapless, ill-fated, ill-starred, luckless, adverse, baleful, baneful, damaging, deleterious, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, ill, injurious, noxious, pernicious, prejudicial
    near: fluky, fortuitous, fortunate, happy, lucky, providential, auspicious, bright, encouraging, fair, golden, heartening, hopeful, optimistic, promising, propitious, rose-colored, rosy, upbeat

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Destructive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Destructive:

annihilatory, calamitous, cataclysmal, devastating, devastative, disastrous, ruinous, catastrophic, damning, fatal, fateful, unfortunate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Destructive

Words with the opposite meaning of Destructive:

nondestructive

Related Words for Destructive

antibiotic, biocidal, baleful, deadly, deathly, fell, killer, lethal, mortal, murderous, pestilent, poisonous, virulent, vital, deleterious, detrimental, harmful, pernicious, apocalyptic, hapless, ill-fated, ill-starred, luckless, adverse, baneful, damaging, evil, hurtful, ill, injurious

Near Antonyms of Destructive

preservative, protective, constructive, creative, formative, productive, harmless, innocent, innocuous, inoffensive, ameliorative, helpful, useful, healthful, healthy, nonfatal, nonlethal, salubrious, wholesome, fluky, fortuitous, fortunate, happy, lucky, providential, auspicious, bright, encouraging, fair, golden

Word Forms of Destructive

Derived words: destructively (adverb), destructiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Destructive

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Destructive

Words & Phrases Containing Destructive

destructive distillation, self-destructive

Frequently Asked Questions about Destructive

What does "Destructive" mean?

"Destructive" means causing destruction, ruinous. As an adjective, it is defined as: causing destruction, ruinous. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Destructive"?

Other words for "Destructive" include annihilatory, calamitous, cataclysmal, devastating, devastative, disastrous, ruinous and catastrophic. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Destructive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Destructive"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Destructive". Common alternatives include annihilatory, calamitous, cataclysmal, devastating, devastative, disastrous, ruinous, catastrophic, damning and fatal.

What is the opposite of "Destructive"?

Antonyms of "Destructive" include nondestructive. Near antonyms include preservative, protective, constructive and creative.

How do you use "Destructive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Destructive" in a sentence: "the destructive storm blew down trees all over town, and blew the roof off our neighbor's house"; "technology used for destructive ends".

Is "Destructive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Destructive" is an adjective.

Is "Destructive" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Destructive" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Destructive"?

"Destructive" is pronounced /di-ˈstrək-tiv/ and divided into syllables as de·struc·tive.