adj. 1 (often foll. by to, of) destroying or tending to destroy (destructive of her peace of mind; is destructive to organisms; a destructive child). 2 negative in attitude or criticism; refuting without suggesting, helping, amending, etc. (opp. CONSTRUCTIVE) (has only destructive criticism to offer). destructively adv. destructiveness n.
[ ME f. OF destructif -ive f. LL destructivus (as DESTROY) ]