DEVASTATING


Meaning of DEVASTATING in English

dev ‧ a ‧ stat ‧ ing /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/ BrE AmE adjective

1 . badly damaging or destroying something

devastating effect/impact

Acid rain has a devastating effect on the forest.

devastating results/consequences

The oil spill had devastating consequences for wildlife.

It will be a devastating blow for the town if the factory closes.

2 . making someone feel extremely sad or shocked:

He was in Nice when he heard the devastating news.

Long-term unemployment can be devastating.

3 . very impressive or effective:

In a devastating display of military muscle, soldiers seized the town.

4 . literary extremely attractive:

a devastating smile

—devastatingly adverb :

a devastatingly attractive man

• • •

COLLOCATIONS

■ nouns

▪ a devastating effect/impact

The recession has had a devastating impact on employment in this area.

▪ devastating consequences/results

a terrible disease with devastating results

▪ a devastating flood/fire/earthquake etc

The country is still recovering from last year's devastating floods.

▪ a devastating disease/illness

Cheaper medicines are needed to fight Aids and other devastating diseases.

▪ a devastating war

It will take a long time for the region to recover from such a devastating war.

▪ a devastating blow (=a devastating action or event )

When a huge car bomb exploded, it was a devastating blow to the peace plan.

▪ a devastating defeat

The party suffered a devastating defeat in the local election.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.