destructively

UK: /dɪˈstrʌktɪvli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•struc•tion /dɪˈstrʌkʃən/   n. [uncountable]

1. the act of destroying or the condition of being destroyed:
   The fire caused the destruction of two famous landmarks in the area.

de•struc•tive, adj.: 

the destructive power of one nuclear bomb.

de•struc•tive•ly, adv. 
de•struc•tive•ness, n. [uncountable] See -stru-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•struc•tion  (di struk′shən), n. 

1. the act of destroying:
   wanton destruction of a town.
2. the condition of being destroyed;
   demolition;
   annihilation.
3. a cause or means of destroying.

• Latin dēstructiōn- (stem of dēstructiō), equivalent. to dēstruct(us) (past participle of dēstruere; see destroy) + -iōn- -ion
• Anglo-French)
• Middle English (1275–1325

Synonyms

• 1. See ruin. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•struc•tive  (di struk′tiv), adj. 

1. tending to destroy; causing destruction or much damage (often fol. by of or to):
   a very destructive windstorm.
2. tending to overthrow, disprove, or discredit (opposed to constructive):
   destructive criticism.

• Late Latin dēstructīvus, equivalent. to Latin dēstruct(us) (see destruction) + -īvus -ive
• Middle French
• 1480–90

de•struc′tive•ly, adv. 
de•struc′tive•ness, de•struc•tiv•i•ty  (dē′struk tiv′i tē), n.  Synonyms

• 1. ruinous, deleterious.
• 2. unfavorable, adverse, negative.

Antonyms

• 1. creative.
• 2. constructive.