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.