devastatingadjective
uk/ˈdev.ə.steɪ.tɪŋ/us/ˈdev.ə.steɪ.t̬ɪŋ/devastating adjective (VERY HARMFUL)
C2 causing a lot of damage or destruction:
If the bomb had exploded in the main shopping area, it would have been devastating.
The drought has had devastating consequences/effects.
More examples
- The missile strike was devastating - the target was totally obliterated.
- We are deeply saddened by this devastating tragedy.
- A devastating attack was launched on the rebel stronghold.
- Pesticides have had a devastating effect on the environment.
- Satellite images showed clearly the devastating impact of the earthquake.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Dangerous and harmful
- adverse
- apocalyptic
- biohazard
- damaging
- deleterious
- favour
- forbidding
- gnarly
- harm
- harmful
- inimical
- kiss
- negative
- penal
- pernicious
- rogue
- ruinous
- self-destruct
- stinking thinking
- toxic
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devastating adjective (STRONG EFFECT)
C1 making someone very shocked and upset:
devastating news
used to describe a personal quality that has a powerful effect:
She had a devastating beauty/charm/smile that few men could resist.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Saddening, shocking and upsetting
- a cloud hanging over sb idiom
- affecting
- arrogant
- baleful
- be cold comfort idiom
- condescend
- dolorous
- ego trip
- egocentric
- egoism
- egomania
- imperious
- lofty
- narcissism
- officious
- poignant
- pompous
- unmentionable
- upsetting
- vanity
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Having a powerful effect
devastatingly
adverb uk/ˈdev.ə.steɪ.tɪŋ.li/us/ˈdev.ə.steɪ.t̬ɪŋ.li/
devastatingly beautiful/powerful