Destructive

a. [Lat. destructivus, Fr. destructif, Pr. destructiu, Sp. destructivo, It. distruttivo. See DESTROY.] Causing destruction; tending to bring about ruin, death, or devastation; ruinous; productive of serious evil; pernicious;—often with of or to: as, intemperance is destructive of health; evil examples are destructive to the morals of youth. “Destructive war.” Dryden.

Destructive distillation. See DISTILLATION.

Synonyms—Mortal; deadly; poisonous; fatal; ruinous; malignant; baleful; pernicious; mischievous.

n. One who destroys; a radical reformer; a destructionist.