adjective

destructive

dih-STRUK-tiv/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/

Causing damage, harm, or ruin.

The destructive wind tears branches and roofing from the shed.

A violent windstorm tears branches and roofing from a small shed, visible serious destructive damage, no people.

Etymology

deLatindown, undo

+structLatinto pile, build

+iveLatintending to

The roots picture “un-building,” or tearing down something constructed. The adjective applies that image to anything that causes or tends toward damage and ruin.

In context

Daniel Bonevac8:42

you can train people to become envious or highly competitive in that setting but it leads to a lot of destructive interactions

Game Theory: Problems with Tit for Tat

More examples

The fire was extremely destructive.
They abandoned a destructive policy.
His remarks had a destructive effect on trust.

Forms

destructive

destruction noun — damage that ruins something

Similar words

damaging: Can describe less extensive harm.
ruinous: Emphasizes devastating consequences or overwhelming cost.