Dictionary

constructively en · ADV

Pronunciation

• (Mid-Atlantic, US) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree English constructive Middle English -ly English -ly English constructively From constructive + -ly.

Meanings

1. In a constructive manner.
   • In vain did his counsel, striving to make out the derangement to be where, in fact, if anywhere, it was, urge that, to hold otherwise, to hold that such a being as Goneril was sane, this was constructively a libel upon womankind. 1857 April 1, Herman Melville, The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade, New York, N.Y.: Dix, Edwards & Co., […], →OCLC:
   • In general, things which may make an impression in a sex way on the adult are a matter of indifference to the sexually unripe boy. Hence it is quite possible for a father to discuss sex matters with his young son and inform him constructively, without in any undue way rousing his sex curiosity or awakening desire. 1922, Henry Stanton, Sex, Chapter III:
   • Under this new agreement, the parties agree to continue to work constructively and in good faith to manage their relationship until they reach a final "just, equitable, honorable and permanent resolution of their territorial differendum." 2004, Albrecht Schnabel, David Carment, Conflict Prevention from Rhetoric to Reality, →ISBN:
   • This type of education for domestication, which borders on stupidification, provides no pedagogical spaces for students, as Chomsky insightfully argues in this book, "not to be seen merely as an audience but as part of a community of common concern in which one hopes to participate constructively." 2004, Noam Chomsky, Donaldo Macedo, Chomsky on Miseducation, →ISBN, page 5:
   • AVOID THE BLAME GAME. Women who get vindictive or finger-pointy when angry are 31 percent more likely to develop heart problems than those who resolve things more constructively, recent research from Columbia University Medical School in New York City found. 2010 November, Christa Renee, “Healthy You, Guy, Kids: Stay-Well News for You and Everyone You Love”, in Jill Herzig, editor, Redbook, New York, N.Y.: Hearst Communications, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 65, column 1:

Forms

Antonyms

unconstructively

Translations (5)

ro constructiv (in a constructive manner) · ca constructivament (in a constructive manner) · it costruttivamente (in a constructive manner) · es constructivamente (in a constructive manner) · pt construtivamente (in a constructive manner)