a devastating heart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a devastating heart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone whose emotional state or feelings are profoundly impactful, often in a negative or sorrowful way. Example: "After the tragic news, she felt as if she had a devastating heart, heavy with grief and loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

An announcer declared that the match had been abandoned.Mr Muamba, just 23 years old, had suffered a devastating heart attack.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Without such treatment, each flare brought with it a risk of further, devastating heart injury.

The New York Times - Magazine

So one arrives at the devastating heart of Bass's book.

The New York Times - Books

Understanding these mechanisms is critical for the design and development of novel treatment strategies against devastating heart diseases in the future.

The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology

The Fault in Our Stars was incredible because of Hazel's detailed descriptions of life with cancer and the impressive range of vocabulary but the book was also devastating, heart-rendering and beautiful.

The Guardian

It's Entourage directed by Bergman; it's the great 90s novel a quarter of a century too late; it's a devastating read that will leave your heart, like the Grinch's, a few sizes larger.

The Guardian - Books

Every New Orleanian knows the 17th Street Canal, whose flood wall failed during Hurricane Katrina seven years earlier, unleashing a devastating wall of water from Lake Pontchartrain into the heart of the city.

The New York Times

A devastating side effect of some common cancer treatments is cardiotoxicity-principally heart failure.

BMC Cancer

Because the increase in prevalence is most marked in younger adults, the disease is expected to inflict a devastating toll on the future working-age population in terms of premature coronary heart disease, amputations, and blindness (2).

Diabetes Care

Mr. Owsley's request for a Purple Heart, given to troops wounded or killed in action, was denied by the military, a devastating blow.

The New York Times

A devastating realization.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a devastating heart", ensure the context clearly indicates emotional or psychological distress. Avoid using it for physical heart conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "a devastating heart" to describe severe heart conditions or heart attacks. Instead, use it to depict profound emotional distress or sorrow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a devastating heart" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "heart". It describes the heart as experiencing intense emotional distress. As Ludwig AI points out, it reflects a profound emotional impact.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a devastating heart" is a grammatically correct and evocative expression used to describe a state of profound emotional distress. While Ludwig indicates it is relatively rare, it appears in reputable sources such as The Economist and The New York Times. It's important to use this phrase accurately, focusing on emotional impact rather than physical conditions. Alternatives like "a grieving heart" or "a sorrowful heart" can provide similar connotations. Remember to reserve the phrase for emotional contexts to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grieving heart

Simple and direct synonym, focusing on the act of grieving.

a sorrowful heart

Directly states the heart's feeling of sorrow.

a heart filled with sorrow

Emphasizes the emotion of sorrow occupying the heart.

a deeply saddened heart

Directly states the heart's profound sadness.

a heart weighed down by grief

Highlights the burden of grief on the heart.

a heart heavy with anguish

Highlights the intense suffering and pain within the heart.

a shattered heart

Conveys the idea of the heart being broken into pieces due to emotional pain.

a heart crushed by despair

Focuses on the feeling of despair overwhelming the heart.

a heart torn by tragedy

Emphasizes the impact of a tragic event on the heart.

a heart marked by profound loss

Highlights the long-lasting effect of loss on the heart.

FAQs

How can I use "a devastating heart" in a sentence?

You can use "a devastating heart" to describe someone experiencing intense emotional pain or grief. For example: "After hearing the news, she carried "a devastating heart" for weeks."

What's the difference between "a devastating heart" and "a broken heart"?

"A devastating heart" implies a profound and overwhelming sense of sorrow or emotional impact, while "a broken heart" often refers specifically to romantic disappointment or loss. "A devastating heart" can encompass broader sources of grief.

What can I say instead of "a devastating heart"?

You can use alternatives like "a grieving heart", "a sorrowful heart", or "a heart filled with sorrow depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "a devastating heart" to describe a physical heart condition?

No, "a devastating heart" is typically used to describe emotional distress or sorrow, not a physical heart ailment. For physical conditions, use terms like "heart disease" or "heart failure".