DESTRUCTIVE: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for DESTRUCTIVE?

Need another word that means the same as “destructive”? Find 9 synonyms and 30 related words for “destructive” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Destructive” are: devastating, ruinous, disastrous, catastrophic, calamitous, cataclysmic, negative, hostile, antagonistic

Destructive as an Adjective

Definitions of "Destructive" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “destructive” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

• Causing destruction or much damage.
• Negative and unhelpful.
• Causing great and irreparable damage.

Synonyms of "Destructive" as an adjective (9 Words)

antagonistic	Indicating opposition or resistance. Slaves antagonistic to their masters.
calamitous	(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin. Such calamitous events as fires hurricanes and floods.
cataclysmic	(of a natural event) large-scale and violent. A novel about a cataclysmic world war.
catastrophic	Involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering. The body undergoes catastrophic collapse towards the state of a black hole.
devastating	Physically or spiritually devastating often used in combination. She had a devastating wit.
disastrous	Causing great damage. A disastrous fire swept through the museum.
hostile	Unsolicited and resisted by the management of the target company ( used of attempts to buy or take control of a business. A hostile nation.
negative	Having a negative charge. A negative reaction to an advertising campaign.
ruinous	Disastrous or destructive. A ruinous effect on the environment.

Usage Examples of "Destructive" as an adjective

• A policy that is destructive to the economy.
• Destructive criticism.
• The destructive power of weapons.

Associations of "Destructive" (30 Words)

abrasive	A substance that abrades or wears down. The refrigerator is easily damaged by abrasives.
brittle	A brittle sweet made from nuts and set melted sugar. Glass is brittle.
calamitous	Involving calamity; catastrophic or disastrous. A calamitous defeat.
catastrophic	Relating to geological catastrophism. The body undergoes catastrophic collapse towards the state of a black hole.
caustic	A caustic substance. Caustic jokes about political assassination talk show hosts and medical ethics.
conflagration	An extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property. Tinder dry conditions sparked fears of a conflagration in many drought devastated communities.
corrode	Destroy or damage (metal, stone, or other materials) slowly by chemical action. Acid rain poisons fish and corrodes buildings.
corrosive	A corrosive substance. Corrosive cristism.
crushing	Physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination. Bone crushing.
damage	Suffer or be susceptible to damage. She was awarded 284 000 in damages.
deadly	In a way resembling or suggesting death; as if dead. A deadly weapon.
deconstruct	Interpret a text or an artwork by the method of deconstructing. She likes to deconstruct the texts to uncover what they are not saying.
destroy	Destroy completely damage irreparably. He has been determined to destroy her.
destruction	A final state. The avalanche left a trail of destruction.
devastate	Destroy or ruin. She was devastated by the loss of Damian.
devastating	Physically or spiritually devastating often used in combination. She had a devastating wit.
earthquake	A disturbance that is extremely disruptive. Selling the company caused an earthquake among the employees.
erosive	Wearing away by friction. The erosive effects of waves on the shoreline.
fatal	(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin. A fatal series of events.
harmful	Causing or likely to cause harm. Too much sun is harmful to the skin.
iconoclasm	The orientation of an iconoclast.
iconoclastic	Destructive of images used in religious worship; said of religions, such as Islam, in which the representation of living things is prohibited. An iconoclastic filmmaker who has pushed the boundaries with every film he s made.
lethal	(in a sporting context) very accurate or skilful. A lethal injection.
ruinous	In ruins; dilapidated. The cost of their ransom might be ruinous.
stifling	(of heat, air, or a room) very hot and causing difficulties in breathing; suffocating. The stifling atmosphere.
suppression	The cancelling of the effect of one mutation by a second mutation. A suppression of the newspaper.
tragic	A boring or socially inept person, typically having an obsessive and solitary interest. The shooting was a tragic accident.
unfortunate	Having or marked by bad fortune; unlucky. Those unfortunates whose lives are marred by poverty.
vitriolic	Harsh or corrosive in tone. Vitriolic outbursts.
withering	Any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use. The guns opened a withering fire.