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.

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

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.

The word "destructive" encompasses a wide range of meanings and uses, all pointing to the theme of harm and damage. Its relevance spans across environmental, psychological, social, and cultural …

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.

If something causes a lot of damage, you can talk about its destructive force or power. Something is destructive when it really messes things up.

The school is concerned about the destructive behavior of a few students. The dog behaves destructively.