ENGLISH
REFERENCE

destructive

adj.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //dɪˈstɹəktɪv// UK //dɪstɹˈʌktɪv// de·struc·tive

adj. causing a lot of damage or harm to something. You use this to describe things that break, ruin, or destroy what they touch.

adj. causing great and irreparable harm or damage. In a computing context, it refers to operations that overwrite or delete data permanently.


SIMPLE

The storm caused destructive winds across the coast.

CONTEXTUAL

The software update included a destructive installation process that wiped all existing user settings.

COMPLEX

The board recognized that the CEO's management style was becoming increasingly destructive to company morale and long-term stability.

Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English destructyve, from Middle French destructif, from Latin dēstrūctīvus, from past participle of dēstruere (“to tear down, destroy”) + -īvus.

Usage

Commonly modifies nouns like 'behavior', 'forces', or 'testing'. In technical contexts, it often contrasts with 'non-destructive'.

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