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destructive

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/

destructive means: Causing serious harm or damage to people or things.

adjective

CAUSING DAMAGEB2

Causing serious harm or damage to people or things.

  • The storm was very destructive.
  • His destructive behavior hurt the whole family.
  • These insects can be destructive to crops.

Similar words: damaging, harmful, ruinous

Opposites: constructive

Common phrases: destructive behavior, destructive force, highly destructive

IRREVERSIBLE CHANGEC1

Changing or removing original information in a way that cannot be undone.

  • Destructive editing changes the original file.
  • Make a copy before applying a destructive filter.
  • This destructive operation permanently removes some image data.

Opposites: nondestructive

Common phrases: destructive editing, destructive operation, destructive changes

BREAKING DOWNC2

Breaking something into smaller parts or causing it to fall apart.

  • The enzyme has a destructive effect on proteins.
  • Destructive processes break large molecules into smaller ones.
  • Researchers measured destructive changes in the tissue.

Similar words: degradative

Opposites: constructive

Common phrases: destructive metabolism, destructive process, destructive enzymes

Questions about destructive

What does destructive mean?

Causing serious harm or damage to people or things.

What is destructive in other languages?

Türkçe: yıkıcı · Español: destructivo · Français: destructeur · Deutsch: zerstörerisch · Italiano: distruttivo · 日本語: 破壊的な

How do you pronounce destructive?

It is pronounced /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/.

How do you use destructive in a sentence?

The storm was very destructive. His destructive behavior hurt the whole family.

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destructive in other languages

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