devastated face

USAGE SUMMARY

"devastated face" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's facial expression when they are feeling extreme sadness or grief. For example, "I could see the despair in her devastated face as she heard the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

His devastated face as he was handed the player of the tournament award after defeat in the World Cup final in 2014 was confirmation: the individual honour meant nothing to him.

The Guardian - Sport

The bride walks down the aisle towards a man she's never seen before, tears of sadness stream down her innocent yet devastated face; it is the worst day of her life.

The Guardian

Like the Hollywood B-movie directors of the golden age who created worlds out of shadows, Mr. Bellocchio resurrects the tragedy of an entire nation with newsreel footage, some smoke, bits of Futurist art and the image of one Italian son in whose devastated face you see millions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

After the dotcom bubble burst in 2000, Israel's economy was devastated, facing its worst year since 1953.

The Guardian - Opinion

Former News of the World deputy editor Neil Wallis said he is "devastated" to face a "swingeing, indiscriminate charge" of conspiring to hack phones, more than a year after he was told he would face no further action.

Independent

The authors address common problems that people of these devastated nations face when conflict subsides, and examine how initiatives in education, the arts, sports, and economic development can offer refugees, returnees, and other survivors of group conflict reasons to work together and create a base for relating constructively over time.

Harvard University

Having to face the head of English and her team was hard enough – they were devastated – but facing the 19 pupils who failed to get the C grade they needed to go onto their next pathway was heartbreaking.

The Guardian

And the consequences are devastating: They face the sudden loss of anonymity and with it their fragile sense of identity, a sense of betrayal by their parents, the collapse of their standing at school and scrutiny by the media, not to mention the contempt of their peers.

Los Angeles Times

One could say that Eastwood had little choice: any Japanese soldier who stepped outside after the huge American force established itself on the island had to face devastating fire.

The New Yorker

The French Inhaler, easily one of the coldest break up songs ever written, was written by Zevon for Marilyn Livingston, Jordan's mother: "When the lights came up at two / I caught a glimpse of you / And your face looked like / Something death brought with him in a suitcase / Your pretty face / It looked so wasted / Another pretty face, devastated".

The Guardian - Music

With local authorities, infrastructure and supply chains devastated, the JDR Medical Team faced difficulties in securing logistics, supplies and even a safe working environment.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devastated face" to vividly portray a person's reaction to extremely bad news or a tragic event. It is most impactful when the context suggests deep emotional distress.

Common error

Avoid using "devastated face" for minor disappointments or inconveniences. This phrase is reserved for situations of profound sadness or grief; using it inappropriately diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devastated face" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where "devastated" modifies "face". According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase. It vividly portrays a person's extreme sadness or grief, and is suitable for describing a reaction to profoundly upsetting news or events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devastated face" is a descriptive term used to portray deep sorrow or grief, often in response to significant loss or trauma. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English writing. While relatively rare in occurrence, as indicated by the limited examples, the phrase is effective in creating a strong emotional image. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but can also be used in academic or narrative writing. When using "devastated face", ensure the context warrants such a strong term, reserving it for situations of profound sadness to maximize its impact. Alternatives such as "heartbroken expression" or "grief-stricken face" can provide similar emotional weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heartbroken expression

Focuses on the emotional pain reflected in the facial expression.

grief-stricken face

Emphasizes the sorrow and mourning evident in the face.

despairing countenance

Highlights the loss of hope and the downcast nature of the face.

anguished look

Captures the intense suffering and pain visible in the face.

crestfallen visage

Indicates disappointment and dejection reflected in the face.

defeated appearance

Shows the sense of loss and failure conveyed by the facial expression.

mournful features

Highlights the sadness and grief conveyed by the facial features.

sorrowful face

Emphasizes the sadness and unhappiness evident in the face.

desolate expression

Conveys a sense of emptiness and abandonment reflected in the face.

agonized face

Highlights the intense physical or mental suffering visible in the face.

FAQs

How can I describe a "devastated face" in more detail?

You can expand on the description by including specific elements such as "tears streaming down a devastated face", or "a blank, devastated face" to enhance the imagery.

What's the difference between a "sad face" and a "devastated face"?

A "sad face" indicates general unhappiness, while a "devastated face" suggests a profound and overwhelming sorrow, often resulting from a significant loss or trauma.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "devastated face"?

The phrase is appropriate in contexts where characters or real people are experiencing deep grief, such as after the death of a loved one, a significant failure, or a catastrophic event.

Are there other ways to express the emotion behind a "devastated face"?

Yes, you could focus on the feeling itself and use phrases like "heartbroken", "grief-stricken", or "utterly despondent" to convey the same level of emotional impact.