What does destructive mean?

Definitions for destructive
dɪˈstrʌk tɪvde·struc·tive

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word destructive.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. destructiveadjective

    causing destruction or much damage

    "a policy that is destructive to the economy"; "destructive criticism"

Wiktionary

  1. destructiveadjective

    Causing destruction; damaging.

  2. destructiveadjective

    Causing break down or disassembly.

    Catabolism is a destructive metabolism which involves the break down of molecules and release of energy.

  3. Etymology: From destructivus, from past participle of destruo + -ivus

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Destructiveadjective

    Etymology: destructivus, low Latin.

    In ports and roads remote,
    Destructive fires among whole fleets we send. Dryden.

    One may think, by the name duration, that the continuation of existence, with a kind of resistance to any destructive force, is the continuation of solidity. John Locke.

    He will put an end to so absurd a practice, which makes our most refined diversions destructive of all politeness. Addis.

    Both are defects equally destructive of true religion. John Rogers.

    In a firm building, even the cavities ought not to be filled with rubbish which is of a perishable kind, destructive to the strength. John Dryden, Æn. Dedicat.

    Excess of cold, as well as heat, pains us; because it is equally destructive to that temper which is necessary to the preservation of life. John Locke.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Destructiveadjective

    causing destruction; tending to bring about ruin, death, or devastation; ruinous; fatal; productive of serious evil; mischievous; pernicious; -- often with of or to; as, intemperance is destructive of health; evil examples are destructive to the morals of youth

  2. Destructivenoun

    one who destroys; a radical reformer; a destructionist

How to pronounce destructive?

How to say destructive in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of destructive in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of destructive in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of destructive in a Sentence

  1. Republican Senator Mitt Romney:

    What he did was not 'perfect,' no, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security and our fundamental values. Corrupting an election to keep one's self in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one's oath of office that I can imagine.

  2. Paul Hokemeyer:

    Patients who suffer from sexual addictions enter treatment paralyzed by shame and humiliation. They describe themselves as “evil” and “defective.” They desperately want to be liberated from the crush of their destructive behavior, but can’t get out from under it’s demoralizing weight

  3. Kohn Colapinto:

    It can be like pulling teeth. The delays are highly destructive.

  4. Bill Gross:

    It is demand that must be increased - yes China must move more quickly to a consumer-based economy - but the developed world must play its part by abandoning its destructive emphasis on fiscal austerity, and begin to replace its rapidly decaying infrastructure that has been delayed for decades.

  5. Damien Spleeters:

    It’s as though they looked at the finished warhead and said, ‘How can we make this even more destructive?’.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

destructive#10000#13351#100000

Translations for destructive

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"destructive." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 21 Mar. 2023. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/destructive>.

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    To cause to become
    • A. render
    • B. abhor
    • C. abash
    • D. affront

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