devastating
Americanadjective
-
tending or threatening to devastate.
a devastating fire.
-
satirical, ironic, or caustic in an effective way.
a devastating portrayal of society.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- devastatingly adverb
- undevastating adjective
- undevastatingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of devastating
First recorded in 1625–35; devastat(e) + -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chile has experienced a series of devastating fires in recent years, worsened by long-term drought.
From BBC
Phil's account suggests others in the crowd may have reacted only when the sudden and devastating flashover happened.
From BBC
According to Ali Ansari, a lack of investment in utilities has been devastating for the country.
From BBC
The impact of the Covid pandemic was massive and devastating, but we got through it.
From Barron's
"Your wicked and callous acts have had a devastating and divisive effect on Dawn's family and your own," the judge told him.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
