constructive
adjective
con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv 
1
: declared such by judicial construction or interpretation
constructive fraud
2
: of or relating to construction or creation
3
: promoting improvement or development
constructive criticism
constructively
adverb
constructiveness
noun
Examples of constructive in a Sentence
I tried to offer constructive criticism.
Your feedback was not very constructive.
The program helps people recently released from prison figure out how they can play a constructive role in society.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bank of America recently attended an investor day and came away feeling even more constructive on the stock.
—
Michael Bloom, CNBC, 26 July 2025
Most experts who testified this week attributed that to a series of factors that included more constructive surroundings than jail.
—Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
Despite the arrests, Dartmouth was cultivating a reputation as a haven for constructive conversations about the war.
—Rob Wolfe, New Yorker, 18 July 2025
Reuters — Canadian retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard on Thursday pulled its $47 billion bid to buy Seven & i Holdings, citing a lack of constructive engagement by the Japanese retailer.
—CNN Money, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for constructive
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Michael Bloom, CNBC, 26 July 2025
Most experts who testified this week attributed that to a series of factors that included more constructive surroundings than jail.
—Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
Despite the arrests, Dartmouth was cultivating a reputation as a haven for constructive conversations about the war.
—Rob Wolfe, New Yorker, 18 July 2025
Reuters — Canadian retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard on Thursday pulled its $47 billion bid to buy Seven & i Holdings, citing a lack of constructive engagement by the Japanese retailer.
—CNN Money, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for constructive
Cite this Entry
“Constructive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constructive. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
constructive
adjective
con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv
: helping to develop or improve something
constructive suggestions
constructively
adverb
constructiveness
noun
Legal Definition
constructive
adjective
con·struc·tive
kən-ˈstrək-tiv
: created by a legal fiction: as
a
: inferred by a judicial construction or interpretation
b
: not actual but implied by operation of the law
made a constructive entry when he refused to take the opportunity for a voluntary departure—Harvard Law Review
compare actual
Harvard Law Review
constructively
adverb
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