— destructively , adv. — destructiveness, destructivity /dee'struk tiv"i tee/ , n.
/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.
[ 1480-90; destructivus, equiv. to L destruct ( us ) (see DESTRUCTION) + -ivus -IVE ]
Syn. 1. ruinous, deleterious. 2. unfavorable, adverse, negative.
Ant. 1. creative. 2. constructive.