destructive
Use Destructive in a sentence
tɪv adjective
1.
tending to destroy; causing destruction or much damage (often followed by of or to ): a very destructive windstorm.
2.
tending to overthrow, disprove, or discredit ( opposed to constructive ): destructive criticism.
Origin:
1480–90; < Middle French < Late Latin dēstructīvus, equivalent to Latin dēstruct(us) (see destruction) + -īvus -ive
1480–90; < Middle French < Late Latin dēstructīvus, equivalent to Latin dēstruct(us) (see destruction) + -īvus -ive
Related forms
de·struc·tive·ly, adverb
in·ter·de·struc·tive, adjective
in·ter·de·struc·tive·ly, adverb
in·ter·de·struc·tive·ness, noun
non·de·struc·tive, adjective
non·de·struc·tive·ly, adverb
non·de·struc·tive·ness, noun
o·ver·de·struc·tive, adjective
o·ver·de·struc·tive·ly, adverb
o·ver·de·struc·tive·ness, noun
sem·i·de·struc·tive, adjective
un·de·struc·tive, adjective
un·de·struc·tive·ly, adverb
un·de·struc·tive·ness, noun
Synonyms
1. ruinous, deleterious. 2. unfavorable, adverse, negative.
1. ruinous, deleterious. 2. unfavorable, adverse, negative.
Antonyms
1. creative. 2. constructive.
1. creative. 2. constructive.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To destructive
00:10
Destructive
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
destructive (dɪˈstrʌktɪv) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj (often postpositive | |
| 1. | causing or tending to cause the destruction (of) |
| 2. | Compare constructive intended to disprove or discredit, esp without positive suggestions or help; negative: destructive criticism |
| de'structively | |
| —adv | |
| de'structiveness | |
| —n | |
| destructivity | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
destructive
late 15c., from O.Fr. destructif (14c.), from L. destructivus, from destruct-, pp. stem of destruere (see destroy).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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