devastated

USAGE SUMMARY

"devastated" is an acceptable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to express deep sorrow or intense sadness. For example, "After losing his job, he was completely devastated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We are obviously devastated at the loss".

The Guardian

The ramshackle infrastructure of Central America's smallest country was devastated.

The Guardian - Sport

Acclaimed science writer and explorer David Quammen first came near the virus while he was traveling in the jungles of Gabon, accompanied by local men whose village had been devastated by a recent outbreak.

The Guardian

Sierra Leone was devastated by an 11-year civil war that ended in 2002, but by 2013 a commodities-led boom driven by deposits of iron ore, gold, diamonds and rutile had pushed growth to 20%.

The Guardian

Implementing the government's welfare reform agenda, Atos have devastated the lives of hundreds of thousands of disabled people and made millions of pounds of profit doing it.

The Guardian - Sport

She was bullied at school and was devastated to be told, at 12, she couldn't be fixed until her bones stopped growing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The record high dollar devastated tourism, education and some agricultural exports as well.

The Guardian - Opinion

"People were devastated by the results last week, but rather than sit back and lick their wounds, people have been invigorated and inspired," she said.

The Guardian

She said the prosecutor had been hugely disappointed by Masipa's verdict".He did his utmost best.He's devastated now, Gerrie Nel, but I can only say that he pulled his guts out for Reeva.He always spoke of her and he was doing his best.He did the best job anybody could do".

The Guardian

But even if the winner wasn't someone devastated by the storm, the community will benefit from the jackpot.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But the mining communities they managed to devastate between them all remain devastated.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devastated" to convey a strong sense of emotional shock or destruction, ensuring the context aligns with the intensity of the word.

Common error

Avoid using "devastated" for minor disappointments. Reserve it for situations involving significant loss or trauma to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "devastated" functions primarily as an adjective, describing a state of extreme emotional distress or physical ruin. Ludwig AI confirms its use in expressing intense feelings or describing the condition of something ruined.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devastated" is a potent adjective used to express profound emotional distress or describe extreme destruction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and frequently used, especially in news and media. While it conveys strong emotions, exercise caution and avoid overusing it in minor situations to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "heartbroken" or "crushed" for similar but nuanced meanings. The most authoritative sources demonstrate that "devastated" is appropriate for neutral language, but should be reserved for significant events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely destroyed

This alternative focuses on the totality of the destruction or emotional impact.

utterly heartbroken

Emphasizes deep emotional pain and sorrow; focuses on the emotional impact.

emotionally shattered

Focuses on the breaking or fracturing of one's emotional state; implies a severe impact on emotional well-being.

overwhelmed with grief

Highlights the intensity of sorrow and the feeling of being consumed by it.

completely crushed

Highlights the feeling of being overwhelmed and defeated emotionally; less about physical destruction.

shattered into pieces

Focuses on the fragmented state of something or someone after a severe impact; highlights brokenness.

deeply saddened

A more formal and less intense way to express sorrow, focusing on sadness rather than shock or ruin.

inconsolable

Describes a state of grief that cannot be alleviated; emphasizes the inability to find comfort.

extremely upset

A general term for being troubled or disturbed, lacking the intensity of "devastated".

left in ruins

More figurative; focuses on the state of being destroyed or irreparable, similar to the result of devastation.

FAQs

How can I use "devastated" in a sentence?

You can use "devastated" to describe the feeling of intense sadness or shock after a loss or disaster. For instance, "She was "devastated" by the news of her friend's accident".

What's a less intense synonym for "devastated"?

If "devastated" seems too strong, consider using words like "saddened", "upset", or "disappointed" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "devastated"?

Use "devastated" when describing situations that involve a significant loss, trauma, or emotional shock. It's fitting for scenarios where someone experiences profound grief or ruin.

What's the difference between "devastated" and "disappointed"?

"Devastated" implies a much stronger emotional impact than "disappointed". "Disappointed" suggests a feeling of sadness that something didn't meet expectations, while "devastated" suggests a deep, overwhelming sorrow or shock.