Destructive Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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destructive
[dษชหstrสktษชv ]
Definitions
behavior
Causing great harm or damage. Involving or causing the complete destruction of something.
Synonyms
damaging, devastating, harmful.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| destructive |
Used for things or actions that cause serious harm or destruction. Often refers to significant negative impact on objects, structures, or systems.
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| damaging |
Employed to indicate causing damage or negative effects, but not necessarily complete destruction. Can refer to both physical and non-physical harm, such as reputation or relationships.
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| harmful |
Refers to something that is likely to cause harm, injury, or adverse effects. Can apply to both physical harm and more abstract concepts like environmental or health effects. Generally implies a negative consequence but not necessarily severe as 'destructive' or 'devastating'.
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| devastating |
Signifies severe destruction or overwhelming harm. Used when the impact is extremely harsh and the consequences are deeply felt, often emotional or psychological impact.
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Examples of usage
- The hurricane caused destructive winds and flooding.
- The construction of the new highway led to the destructive clearing of the forest.
- The war had a destructive impact on the country's economy.
criticism
Criticizing or undermining something. Tending to destroy or undermine something.
Synonyms
critical, negative, undermining.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| destructive |
This word is most often used to describe something that causes a lot of damage or harm, whether it's physical, emotional, or psychological. It has a very strong, negative connotation.
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| critical |
This word can be used to describe a serious or important situation, or to express disapproval or judgement. It does not always carry a negative connotation as it can also mean essential or crucial.
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| undermining |
This word is used to describe actions or behavior that weaken, sabotage, or damage someone's position, authority, or achievement. It carries a negative connotation and often implies deceit or subversion.
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| negative |
This word is used to describe something bad, harmful, or not positive. It is often used in a variety of contexts, from emotions to feedback, and generally carries a negative connotation.
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Examples of usage
- The article contained a destructive critique of the company's policies.
- His destructive comments were not well-received by the team.
- She had a destructive attitude towards her colleague's work.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Destructive behavior can be a response to feelings of frustration or powerlessness.
- Studies show that people may engage in destructive actions when faced with extreme stress or trauma.
- The term is often used in therapy to describe patterns of behavior that harm oneself or others, indicating the need for healing.
Environmental Impact
- Natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes are examples of destructive forces in nature.
- Human activities, such as deforestation and pollution, have led to large-scale destructive changes to ecosystems.
- Climate change is linked to an increase in destructive weather events, affecting both human and animal life.
Pop Culture
- In movies, destructive monsters often symbolize inner turmoil or societal fears.
- Destructive forces are frequently depicted in video games, representing obstacles for players to overcome.
- Songs and literature often use the concept of destruction as a metaphor for loss or heartbreak.
Technology
- In the context of cybersecurity, destructive malware can cause loss of data or damage to computer systems.
- Destructive testing in engineering evaluates how materials fail under extreme conditions to improve safety.
- Emerging technologies are being developed to mitigate destructive impacts on the environment, showing a shift towards sustainability.
Origin of 'destructive'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from Latin 'destructivus', which means 'tending to destroy'.
- It is formed from 'de-' (away) and 'struere' (to build), indicating a force that takes away what was built.
- The use of this term can be traced back to the late 15th century.
The word 'destructive' originated from the Latin word 'destructivus', which is derived from the verb 'destruere' meaning 'to destroy'. The concept of destruction has been a part of human history, from natural disasters to wars. The adjective 'destructive' has been used to describe various actions and behaviors that lead to harm or damage.