devastating

[dev-uh-stey-ting]

adjective

1. tending or threatening to devastate.

   a devastating fire.

2. satirical, ironic, or caustic in an effective way.

   a devastating portrayal of society.

devastating

/ ˈdɛvəˌsteɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. extremely effective in a destructive way

   a devastating war

   a devastating report on urban deprivation

Other Word Forms

• devastatingly adverb
• undevastating adjective
• undevastatingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of devastating¹

First recorded in 1625–35; devastat(e) + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The woman, who has a lifelong right to anonymity, said the impact of giving evidence had been devastating.

From BBC

“As a nonprofit, we operate solely on donations, and the loss of this equipment has been devastating.”

From Los Angeles Times

The impact of her sister going missing and her mother's death just a couple of years later had a devastating affect on Lindsay's childhood.

From BBC

Bridget Phillipson has said the two child-benefit cap has had a "devastating impact", as she signalled the government could soon lift it.

From BBC

Nor is opposition to such fruitless, devastating conflicts limited to progressives.

From Salon

Related Words

• calamitous 
• destructive 
• disastrous 
• overwhelming