devastating
Devastating (adj) means causing severe destruction or distress. Example: “The earthquake had a devastating effect on the local economy.”
adj
1
Causing severe destruction or distress.
"The earthquake had a devastating effect on the local economy."
"The news of the closure was devastating for everyone who worked at the factory."
"A devastating flood swept through the village overnight."
How to use devastating
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtremely destructive or upsetting.
Common pairings
devastating effect
devastating news
devastating consequences
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more devastating
- Superlative
- most devastating
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The earthquake had a _____ effect on the local economy.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for devastating
See all rhymes for devastating →Frequently asked questions
What does “devastating” mean?
The word “devastating” means causing severe destruction or distress. In plain terms, extremely destructive or upsetting.
How do you use “devastating” in a sentence?
Here is “devastating” used in a sentence: “The earthquake had a devastating effect on the local economy.”
What part of speech is “devastating”?
“Devastating” is an adjective.
Is “devastating” a common word?
“Devastating” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between devastating and devastated?
Devastating describes the cause of severe destruction or distress, such as a devastating storm, while devastated describes the state of something or someone after being affected by it, such as a devastated community. Devastating is active in effect; devastated is the resulting condition.
What is the difference between devastating and catastrophic?
Devastating and catastrophic both describe severe destruction or distress, but catastrophic more strongly emphasises scale and disaster, often for large-scale events, while devastating can apply just as naturally to personal or emotional impact, such as devastating news.
Can devastating describe emotional as well as physical harm?
Yes, devastating is used for both physical destruction, such as a devastating earthquake, and emotional distress, such as devastating news or a devastating loss. The word captures severity regardless of whether the harm is physical or emotional.
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