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 report on urban deprivation

   a devastating war

Derived Forms

• ˈdevasˌtatingly, adverb

Other Words From

• devas·tating·ly adverb
• un·devas·tating adjective
• un·devas·tating·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of devastating¹

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

Example Sentences

Atacms and Storm Shadow missiles may have been used to powerful, even devastating, effect on distant command posts and ammunition dumps, but such successes seem remote to soldiers on the front lines.

From BBC

“If unaddressed, any ambiguity on the lawful use of military force, coupled with President-elect Trump’s demonstrated intent to utilize the military in such dangerous and unprecedented ways, may prove to be devastating,” the letter reads.

From Salon

Synthetic opioids are having a "devastating effect" in the county, he said.

From BBC

Little did she know that just three weeks earlier, Charlotte, who she had never met despite living so close to, had received the same devastating news about her daughter.

From BBC

Pop one into your mouth and swallow — as thousands of children do annually — and they can quickly cause devastating injuries.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• calamitous
• destructive
• disastrous
• overwhelming