Destructive: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：causing great damage (destructive)

destructive 🔊

/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/

adj.

Something that causes a lot of damage or harm.

Destructive concept illustrated by a tornado causing severe damage to houses and trees.

causing great damage 🔊

➕

/ˈkɔːzɪŋ ɡreɪt ˈdæmɪdʒ/

adj.

Describes something that has the power or tendency to cause extensive harm, ruin, or devastation.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'destruere' (to destroy): de- 'down' + struere 'to build'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'DE-stroying con-STRUCTION'. The prefix 'de-' means down/undo, and the root relates to building. It describes what 'un-builds' or ruins things.

📖 Example

The destructive tornado left many families without homes. 🔊 The tornado, which caused great damage, resulted in many families losing their homes.

🔗 Collocations

destructive force – a power that causes major damage or ruin

destructive behavior – actions that cause harm to oneself, others, or property

destructive power – the capacity to inflict severe damage

🔄 Synonyms

devastating (adj.) – causing severe and overwhelming shock, grief, or damage

ruinous (adj.) – causing or likely to cause ruin; disastrous

catastrophic (adj.) – involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering

🚫 Antonyms

constructive (adj.) – serving a useful purpose; tending to build up

protective (adj.) – intended to keep someone or something safe from harm

beneficial (adj.) – producing good or helpful results

🌱 Derivatives

destructively (adv.) – in a manner that causes damage or destruction

destructiveness (n.) – the quality of causing destruction

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'destruere', meaning to un-build or tear down. Historically, it described the literal dismantling of structures. In modern usage, it's heavily employed in scientific and environmental contexts to discuss forces like hurricanes or behaviors that cause irreparable harm.