destructive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective causing destruction or much damage
    • a policy that is destructive to the economy
    • destructive criticism

WordNet

De*struc"tive adjective
Etymology
L. destructivus: cf. F. destructif.
Definitions
  1. 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.
    Time's destructive power. Wordsworth.
    Whately. Syn. -- Mortal; deadly; poisonous; fatal; ruinous; malignant; baleful; pernicious; mischievous.
De*struc"tive noun
Definitions
  1. One who destroys; a radical reformer; a destructionist.

Webster 1913