a devastating challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a devastating challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant and difficult obstacle or problem that has a severe impact. Example: "The team faced a devastating challenge when they lost their primary funding source just weeks before the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It also poses a devastating challenge to traditional linear planning approaches and to our ways of working.

The Guardian

Overall, the book, which follows Pussy's flight to London and his mistaken arrest in connection with a pub bombing, is a devastating challenge to the macho terrorist culture of Northern Ireland: "McCabe's latest may be the most successful book yet to be born out of violence," concluded the New York Times Book Review.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is clear, however, that health care is an often devastating challenge confronting millions of Hispanics.

Huffington Post

For some women, infertility due to cancer treatments can be a devastating psychological challenge.

Human Reproduction Update

A further scan on Friday may tell whether the leg, shattered in the devastating challenge by PSV's Hector Moreno back in September, is healing in such a way that his season need not be over.

Independent

The partnership aims to improve the prospects of 74,000 disadvantaged young people in Brazil, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Uganda and Zambia by strengthening their economic resilience against the devastating challenges of chronic poverty, inequality and changing economic circumstances.

Unicef

The second phase of the partnership launched here today, aims to help tackle youth unemployment by improving the prospects of 6,000 disadvantaged young people in Punjab; strengthening their economic and social resilience against the devastating challenges of chronic poverty, inequality and changing economic circumstances.

Unicef

Even as more aid flows into Haiti nearly a week after a devastating earthquake, the challenges faced by the 82nd Airborne in handing out food and water here illustrate the hurdles in distributing it across the city.

The New York Times

And putting it on just days after a devastating storm will be challenging as the police and fire departments, electric utilities and transportation agencies attempt to get the city back on its feet.

The New York Times - Sports

Putting on a five-borough race with 47,000 runners, 8,000 volunteers, 1,000 staff and 2 million spectators just days after a devastating storm will be challenging as the police and fire departments, electric utilities and transportation agencies attempt to get the city back on its feet.

The New York Times - Sports

Deep infection after THA is a devastating complication that poses a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon in terms of the best treatment strategy [ 1- 4].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a devastating challenge", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the severe and destructive impact of the challenge. This strengthens the phrase's effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "a devastating challenge" for minor inconveniences or commonplace difficulties. Reserve it for situations with truly significant negative consequences to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a devastating challenge" functions as a noun phrase, where "devastating" modifies the noun "challenge". According to Ludwig AI, it effectively describes an obstacle with significantly negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a devastating challenge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a significantly difficult problem with potentially destructive consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Analysis of the examples shows it is commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, highlighting its suitability for describing serious situations. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context justifies the strong language, reserving it for situations where the impact is truly severe. While alternatives like "a crushing obstacle" or "an overwhelming difficulty" exist, "a devastating challenge" carries a unique weight that should be employed thoughtfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crushing obstacle

Replaces "challenge" with a more physical and forceful term, "obstacle", and "devastating" with "crushing" implying immense pressure.

an overwhelming difficulty

"Overwhelming" suggests the magnitude of the difficulty, differing from "devastating" which implies destruction.

a severe impediment

"Impediment" presents a formal alternative to "challenge", while "severe" highlights the seriousness.

a crippling setback

"Setback" refers to a delay or reversal in progress, and "crippling" emphasizes the disabling effect.

a ruinous problem

"Ruinous" directly conveys the destructive nature of the problem, shifting the focus from the act of challenging to the outcome.

a calamitous hurdle

"Calamitous" stresses the disastrous nature of the hurdle, adding emotional weight.

a destructive trial

"Trial" refers to a difficult experience, while "destructive" specifies the harmful effect.

a grievous adversity

"Adversity" is a formal term for hardship, and "grievous" underscores the pain and suffering involved.

a formidable difficulty

Swaps "devastating" for "formidable", focusing on the imposing nature of the difficulty rather than its destructive potential.

a profound struggle

Replaces "challenge" with "struggle", highlighting ongoing effort, and substitutes "devastating" with "profound", stressing depth and significance.

FAQs

How can "a devastating challenge" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a devastating challenge" to describe a significantly difficult obstacle or problem that has a severe impact. For example, "The economic downturn presented "a devastating challenge" for small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "a devastating challenge"?

Alternatives include "a crushing obstacle", "an overwhelming difficulty", or "a severe impediment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a devastating challenge" an appropriate phrase for formal writing?

Yes, "a devastating challenge" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when describing situations with serious consequences. However, consider alternatives like "a severe impediment" for an even more formal tone.

What distinguishes "a devastating challenge" from "a difficult challenge"?

"A devastating challenge" implies a more severe and destructive impact than "a difficult challenge". The former suggests potentially ruinous consequences, while the latter simply indicates a high degree of difficulty.