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Definition of destructive adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

destructive

adjective
 
/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/
 
/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/
Word Family
  • destroy verb
  • destroyer noun
  • destruction noun
  • destructive adjective
  • indestructible adjective
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  1. causing destruction or damage
    • The war demonstrated the destructive power of modern weapons.
    • the destructive effects of anxiety
    • Opencast coal mining is among the most environmentally destructive activities carried out in Wales.
    see also self-destructive compare constructive
    Extra Examples
    • It was a very short-sighted and ultimately destructive plan.
    • These substances can be destructive to health.
    • downright destructive behaviour
    • environmentally destructive policies
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • seem
    • become
    adverb
    • extremely
    • fairly
    • very
    preposition
    • of
    • to
    See full entry
  2. negative or not helpful
    • destructive behaviour/impulses/tendencies
    • People have to learn how to handle destructive emotions like anger.
    • They don't think about how damaging and destructive their words are.
  3. Word Originlate 15th cent.: via Old French from late Latin destructivus, from Latin destruct- ‘destroyed’, from the verb destruere, from de- (expressing reversal) + struere ‘build’.
See destructive in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee destructive in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

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