destructively

Meaning

In a way that causes damage or harm.

Examples

• The fire spread destructively through the old building, leaving only ashes.
• He argued destructively, tearing down every idea without offering solutions.

Pronunciation: /dɪˈstrʌktɪvli/

How to Use destructively

act destructively (collocation)

to behave in a way that causes harm — "When he's angry, he tends to act destructively towards his belongings."

destructively criticize (collocation)

to criticize in a way that is unhelpful and only aims to tear down — "Her boss always criticized her destructively, never offering any guidance."

destructively impact (collocation)

to have a very negative effect on something — "The new policy could destructively impact small businesses."

Synonyms of destructively

Words with a similar meaning to destructively:

• harmfully
• damagingly
• ruinously
• perniciously

Antonyms of destructively

Words with the opposite meaning to destructively:

• constructively
• productively