devastate
verb (used with object)
to lay waste; render desolate.
were devastating
-
past progressiveof devastate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
In the end, the results were devastating, prompting Wes Streeting to resign as health secretary, as well as a clutch of more junior ministers.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
While statistically insignificant at the population level, such cases were devastating for affected individuals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026
“The women told me that the sudden cuts in funding and services were devastating for them; some of the women ended up with unplanned pregnancies,” Siraha said.
From Salon ● Feb. 9, 2026
“The shape of some of his breaking balls were devastating, dropping north to south,” ElAttrache said.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2024
His views about the white man were devastating, but at no time did he transgress against my own personality and make me feel that I, as an individual, shared in the guilt.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
