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adjective · B2 · often · UK/US

destructive

destructive

Meaning of destructive

causing destruction

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How important is this word
B2often

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Pronunciation
British English/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/
American English/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/
Russian transcription[rəzrʊˈʂitʲɪlʲnɨj]
destructive
destructive - разрушительный
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destructive with Russian translation

destructive usage examples

🇷🇺Russian🇬🇧English

Разрушительное землетрясение повалило многие здания в городе.

A destructive earthquake toppled many buildings in the city.

🇷🇺Russian🇬🇧English

Шторм оставил разрушительный след вдоль побережья.

The storm left a destructive trail along the coast.

Learn by topic

destructive belongs to the topic "Natural Phenomena". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

destructiveразрушительный
seasons of the yearвремена года
springвесна
winterзима
beginначинаться
endзаканчиваться
temperatureтемпература

destructive synonyms

Related word breakdowns

What's the difference between destructive / catastrophic / damaging / harmful / ruinous / calamitous

🇬🇧English
destructive

Neutral, general word for causing destruction or severe damage; can be literal or figurative.

B2Very Often

The storm was highly destructive, leaving many homes uninhabitable.

Шторм был очень разрушительным, многие дома стали непригодными для жилья.

C
🇬🇧English
catastrophic

Implies very large-scale, often sudden disaster with severe consequences; stronger than 'destructive'.

C1Often

A catastrophic failure of the dam would flood the valley.

Катастрофический провал плотины затопит долину.

🇬🇧English

Less intense than 'destructive'; focuses on causing harm or injury, not necessarily total destruction.

B2Very Often

Smoking is damaging to your health.

Курение вредно для вашего здоровья.

🇬🇧English

General term for something that causes harm or adverse effects, often used for health or moral contexts.

B2Very Often

Excessive sugar consumption can be harmful.

Чрезмерное потребление сахара может быть вредным.

R
🇬🇧English
ruinous

More formal; often implies causing ruin (especially financial or long-term collapse) rather than simple damage.

C1Rarely

The policy proved ruinous to small businesses.

Эта политика оказалась губительной для малого бизнеса.

C
🇬🇧English
calamitous

Literary/formal; denotes disastrous or pitiable consequences, often used in storytelling or formal commentary.

C2Rarely

The decision had calamitous results for the community.

Решение имело бедственные последствия для сообщества.

A
🇬🇧English
annihilating

Implies complete, total destruction or obliteration; more absolute and forceful than 'destructive'.

C2Rarely

The explosion was annihilating, leaving no trace of the building.

Взрыв был уничтожающим, не оставив следа от здания.

What's the difference

Related words and lists for destructive

How to pronounce destructive and what this word means

destructive translation: разрушительный. This page includes translation, pronunciation, transcription, audio, usage examples and related words.

how to pronounce destructive

/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/

destructive translation

разрушительный

destructive examples

A destructive earthquake toppled many buildings in the city.

destructive transcription

/dɪˈstrʌktɪv/, /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/

How this dictionary entry is reviewed

ZapomniEnglish prepares dictionary data automatically, then the editorial workflow checks high-frequency words, top lists, and pages that already receive search impressions first.

Translation and meaningPronunciation and transcriptionExamples, synonyms, and topics

Questions about this word

destructive meaning: what does it mean?

causing destruction

destructive pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

destructive is pronounced as /dɪˈstrʌktɪv/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

destructive definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?

A destructive earthquake toppled many buildings in the city. Translation: Разрушительное землетрясение повалило многие здания в городе.

Is destructive part of Natural Phenomena vocabulary?

Yes, destructive (разрушительный) can be learned in the Natural Phenomena topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

Is destructive part of Weather and Seasons vocabulary?

Yes, destructive (разрушительный) can be learned in the Weather and Seasons topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

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