zerstörerisch
destructive
Destroying something or causing great damage. The word can refer to actions, forces, events, or behavior.
EXAMPLE
Der zerstörerische Sturm riss zahlreiche Bäume um.
The destructive storm knocked down numerous trees.
zerstörerisch
destructive
zerstörerisch – zerstörerischer – am zerstörerischsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry zerstörerisch, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | zerstörerisch |
|---|---|
| comparative | zerstörerischer |
| superlative | am zerstörerischsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to zerstörerisch.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to zerstörerisch.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to zerstörerisch.
Usage tips
Word family
'zerstörerisch' (destructive) belongs to the same word family as 'zerstören' (to destroy) and 'Zerstörung' (destruction). The shared stem 'zerstör-' helps you recognize it as an adjective related to destruction.
EXAMPLE
Die zerstörerischen Folgen des Krieges sind noch Jahrzehnte später sichtbar.
The destructive consequences of the war are still visible decades later.
Typical collocations
Common collocations include 'zerstörerische Kraft' (destructive power), 'zerstörerische Wirkung' (destructive effect), 'zerstörerische Gewalt' (destructive force), and 'zerstörerisches Verhalten' (destructive behavior). The adjective describes both natural forces and human actions or behavior.
EXAMPLE
Der Hurrikan entwickelte eine zerstörerische Kraft.
The hurricane developed destructive power.
Sentence pattern
'zerstörerisch' (destructive) is particularly common in the phrase 'eine zerstörerische Wirkung auf' (a destructive effect on), followed by the accusative case. This expresses who or what is affected by the damage.
EXAMPLE
Der dauernde Streit hatte eine zerstörerische Wirkung auf die Familie.
The constant arguing had a destructive effect on the family.
In real life
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