ENGLISH
REFERENCE

devastating

adj. · v.
US //ˈdɛvəˌsteɪtɪŋ// UK //dˈɛvəstˌeɪtɪŋ// dev·as·tat·ing
  1. 1 causing great damage (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    causing a lot of physical damage or destruction to a place.

    causing widespread destruction or ruin to physical structures or environments.

    Example

    The island is still recovering from a devastating hurricane last year.

    Example

    The devastating floods of the previous decade had permanently altered the local topography, forcing entire communities to relocate to higher ground.
  2. 2 emotionally shocking (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    causing someone to feel very shocked, upset, or sad.

    causing severe emotional distress or overwhelming grief.

    Example

    It was devastating news for the family when they heard about the accident.

    Example

    The sudden closure of the factory was a devastating blow to the town's economy and the morale of its residents.
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  1. 3 highly effective (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    used to describe something very powerful or effective, often in a negative way.

    highly effective or powerful, typically in a manner that overwhelms an opponent or an argument.

    Example

    The lawyer made a devastating argument that proved the witness was lying.

    Example

    The critic’s devastating review of the premiere focused on the lead actor's inability to convey the script's underlying emotional complexity.
  2. 4 destroying (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the action of destroying or ruining something.

    the present participle of 'devastate', functioning as a continuous verb form to describe ongoing destruction.

    Example

    The forest fire is still devastating the national park.

    Example

    By the time the ceasefire was signed, the conflict had been devastating the region's infrastructure for nearly three years.

    Usage

    Used as the -ing form of the verb 'devastate'.
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