CONSTRUCTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does constructive mean? 

• CONSTRUCTIVE (adjective)
  The adjective CONSTRUCTIVE has 2 senses:

1. constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development

2. emphasizing what is laudable or hopeful or to the good

  Familiarity information: CONSTRUCTIVE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONSTRUCTIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development

Context example:

constructive permission

Similar:

creative (promoting construction or creation)

formative; plastic; shaping (forming or capable of forming or molding or fashioning)

formative (capable of forming new cells and tissues)

inferential (based on interpretation; not directly expressed)

reconstructive; rehabilitative (helping to restore to good condition)

structural (concerned with systematic structure in a particular field of study)

Also:

positive (characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.)

Antonym:

destructive (causing destruction or much damage)

Derivation:

constructiveness (the quality of serving to build or improve)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Emphasizing what is laudable or hopeful or to the good

Context example:

constructive criticism

Similar:

positive (characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.)

Derivation:

constructiveness (the quality of serving to build or improve)

 Context examples 

They specify eight cognitive domains that may be impaired in AD: memory, language, perceptual skills, attention, constructive abilities, orientation, problem solving, and functional abilities.

(NINCDS-ADRDA Criteria for Alzheimer's Disease, NCI Thesaurus)

A type of psychotherapy utilized to treat different forms of mental disorders.The treatment involves the identification of unhelpful or destructive patterns of thinking and behaviors and the subsequent replacement with behaviors that are beneficial and constructive.

(Cognitive behavior therapy, NCI Thesaurus)