devastating

/'devəsteitiɳ/

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Word: Devastating

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: "Devastating" describes something that causes great damage or destruction, either physically or emotionally. It can refer to events, actions, or feelings that are very powerful and harmful.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "devastating" to describe situations or events that have a strong negative impact, such as natural disasters, emotional experiences, or powerful criticisms.

Examples:

1. Physical Meaning: "The hurricane caused devastating damage to the coastal town." (This means the damage was very severe.)
2. Emotional Meaning: "She received a devastating rejection from her dream job." (This means the rejection was very hurtful and disappointing.)

Advanced Usage:

• You can combine "devastating" with other words to create phrases that emphasize its meaning:
  • Devastating loss: A loss that is extremely painful (e.g., "The family faced a devastating loss when their house burned down.")
  • Devastating consequences: Serious negative results of an action (e.g., "The decision had devastating consequences for the environment.")

Word Variants:

• Devastate (verb): To cause destruction or severe emotional pain. (e.g., "The news devastated her.")
• Devastation (noun): The act of destroying or the state of being destroyed. (e.g., "The devastation caused by the earthquake was unimaginable.")

Different Meaning:

While "devastating" primarily refers to destruction or emotional pain, it can also be used in a less severe context to describe something very effective or impressive: - "The presentation was devastatingly good." (This means it was extremely good, though it's a less common use.)

Synonyms:

• Destructive
• Ruinous
• Calamitous
• Shattering
• Crushing

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "A devastating blow": A significant setback or disappointment.

  • Example: "The team's loss in the finals was a devastating blow to their championship hopes."

• "Wreak havoc": To cause a lot of trouble or damage.

  • Example: "The storm will wreak havoc on the city."

Summary:

"Devastating" is a powerful word used to describe things that cause great harm or emotional distress.

Academic

Adjective

1. physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination
   • a crushing blow
   • a crushing rejection
   • bone-crushing
2. wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction
   • possessing annihilative power
   • a devastating hurricane
   • the guns opened a withering fire
3. making light of
   • afire with annihilating invective
   • a devastating portrait of human folly
   • to compliments inflated I've a withering reply- W.S.Gilbert

Synonyms

• crushing
• annihilative
• annihilating
• withering