destructive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "destructive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes significant damage or harm, whether physically, emotionally, or metaphorically. Example: "The hurricane had a destructive impact on the coastal communities, leaving many homes in ruins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Britain has never had a problem with the destructive bit of creative destruction.

The Guardian - Business

The growth of nationalism in the UK is unwelcome and destructive; properly endorsing our membership of the EU would do much to stem the tide of disaffection.

The Guardian

Ours is an age of faith as a path to control on a very wide scale – something rigid, paranoid and utterly destructive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jealousy tends to be destructive, both to the lover and the loved one".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The destructive orgy that ensued left at least 91 Jews murdered, 30,000 arrested, and more than 7,000 Jewish businesses destroyed or damaged over the 9 and 10 of November 1938 in co-ordinated attacks against Jews in Germany and Austria.

The Guardian

I think everyone was doing their best to try and make things work, but for me it was like a destructive marriage – you give it everything you can to keep it going.

The Guardian - Music

However, a significant number of truly anti-EU parties are simply destructive and suffer from fundamental contradictions.

The Guardian - Opinion

The biggest questions facing us are economic – how you create a low-carbon economy, how you cut the financial sector down to size and curb its hyena-like destructive capabilities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Root was more forthcoming on the destructive brilliance of AB de Villiers, whose 31-ball century against West Indies at Johannesburg on Sunday was the fastest in one-day internationals.

The Guardian - Sport

He's probably more destructive on a consistent basis.

The Guardian - Sport

5. McNulty v Rawls Another example of the destructive power of personal rivalries – McNulty spends hours tracing tide patterns to relocate a murder into Rawls's district and Rawls refuses (for ages) to let McNulty work proper cases, despite it being his best shot at getting the murder rate down.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "destructive", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being destroyed or harmed. This will provide clarity and prevent ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "destructive" with abstract nouns without providing specific details about the nature of the destruction. Instead of saying "destructive ideas", specify how the ideas are destructive, such as "destructive ideas that undermine social cohesion".

Linguistic Context

Destructive primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that causes damage, harm, or ruin. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts to convey the severity and nature of the damage caused. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "destructive" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that causes significant damage or harm. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It appears very commonly in news, sports, and opinion contexts, signifying its relevance across diverse fields. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify what is being destroyed. While numerous synonyms exist, such as "damaging" and "harmful", choosing "destructive" emphasizes a higher degree of damage. When writing, be careful to provide specific context when using it with abstract nouns. Therefore, understanding its nuances helps improve writing precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

damaging

Focuses on the process of causing harm or impairment.

harmful

Emphasizes the potential to cause injury or detriment.

ruinous

Implies a state of decay or collapse due to damage.

devastating

Suggests a complete or overwhelming destruction.

catastrophic

Highlights the disastrous and widespread consequences.

pernicious

Indicates a subtle and gradual but harmful effect.

deleterious

Formal term referring to something harmful or injurious, often in a subtle way.

detrimental

Focuses on the negative impact or disadvantage caused.

crippling

Highlights something that severely limits functionality or capacity.

counterproductive

Something that has the opposite of the intended effect, hindering progress.

FAQs

How can I use "destructive" in a sentence?

You can use "destructive" to describe something that causes damage or harm. For example, "The fire had a "destructive" impact on the forest".

What are some synonyms for "destructive"?

Synonyms for "destructive" include "damaging", "harmful", and "ruinous". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "destructive" instead of "damaging"?

"Destructive" implies a higher degree of damage or ruin than "damaging". Use "destructive" when the impact is significant and devastating.

What's the difference between "destructive" and "self-destructive"?

"Destructive" refers to causing harm to something external, while "self-destructive" refers to actions or behaviors that harm oneself.