destructive

adjective
UK: /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/
US: /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/

  1. Causing great damage or harm.

    1. Fire is very destructive to forests.
    2. The destructive power of the hurricane was greater than anyone expected.

  2. Tending to ruin or destroy something; negative and not helpful.

    1. His destructive behavior made people angry.
    2. The constant criticism had a destructive effect on their relationship, creating distance.

Synonyms

ruinous harmful devastating detrimental damaging

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "destructive" in English means: Causing great damage or harm., Tending to ruin or destroy something; negative and not helpful..

The phonetic transcription of "destructive" is /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/ in British English and /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "destructive": ruinous, harmful, devastating, detrimental, damaging.

Example usage of "destructive": "Fire is very destructive to forests.". More examples on the page.