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destructive — causing great and irreparable harm or damage

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: causing great and irreparable harm or damage

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/

Example Sentences

  • My little brother's destructive tendencies turned our Lego castle into modern art.
  • The destructive effects of climate change are becoming more evident each year.
  • His destructive eating habits destroyed both the refrigerator contents and his diet plan.

destructive

ADJECTIVE

[/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/]

causing great and irreparable harm or damage

While the gentle breeze merely rustled the summer leaves, the destructive gale tore branches from the trees and shattered garden fences.
💡 Concept

While the gentle breeze merely rustled the summer leaves, the destructive gale tore branches from the trees and shattered garden fences.

DE (reverse) + STRUCT (build up) — by doing the reverse DE of every brick STRUCT, the runaway steamroller proved utterly destructive.
🧠 Mnemonic

DE (reverse) + STRUCT (build up) — by doing the reverse DE of every brick STRUCT, the runaway steamroller proved utterly destructive.

Moving past a productive wheat harvest and constructive timber plans, the forest rangers rushed to stop a destructive wildfire.
🎵 Rhyme

Moving past a productive wheat harvest and constructive timber plans, the forest rangers rushed to stop a destructive wildfire.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/

🌳Etymology

Prefixde--
Rootstruct
Suffix--ive

Origin

From Latin 'destructivus', derived from 'destruere' meaning 'to tear down or destroy', combined with the suffix '-ive' indicating a tendency or quality.

Breakdown

de- (down) + struct (build) + -ive (tending to/causing) = destructive

🎵Rhyme

constructive
instructive
productive

🔗Collocations

destructive behavior
destructive criticism
destructive force
highly destructive
destructive power
destructive impact

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My little brother's destructive tendencies turned our Lego castle into modern art.”

“The destructive effects of climate change are becoming more evident each year.”

😄 Fun example

“His destructive eating habits destroyed both the refrigerator contents and his diet plan.”

“The company's destructive policies led to massive employee turnover.”

📚Related Words

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