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The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of destructive communication, propose a possible classification of the situations of destructive communication in discourse as well as analyze some language clues of destructiveness. Destructiveness is viewed as a discourse category represented by a body of linguistic and paralinguistic means of expression, the main function of which is the organization of communicative process. Destructive communication is aimed at deliberate and intentional infliction of moral and physical harm to the interlocutor. The article makes use of the methods of discourse and contextual analysis. The following classification of situations of destructive communication is proposed: 1) open destructive communication; 2) hidden destructive communication; 3) passive destructive communication. Each of the types is characterized by the use of specific language means of implementing destructive intentions. Both language and contextual cues of destructiveness are considered and illustrated with the examples from everyday discourse and literary texts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]