devastated world

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'devastated world' is correctly used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a world which has been adversely affected by some major event, such as a natural disaster, war, economic or political upheaval, or some other crisis. For example, you might say, "The Covid-19 pandemic has left a devastated world in its wake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Villains are killed, but you are left in the end with a completely devastated world". Victory is unattainable.

The Washington Post

If the novel starts with a performance of Lear a play that has a particular affinity with the Anthropocene (Dionne)—his work keeps being performed by "The Travelling Symphony," a group of actors who travel around the devastated world.

Johns Hopkins University

This inspirational memoir's appeal will reach far beyond its timely and valuable lessons about climate science, social science and forest ecology; it shares much-needed hope and wonder with readers who may be searching for how to live in an increasingly devastated world.

Forbes

Grainy black-and-white photographs of ocean waves and devastated World War I battlefields expand the mythic implications.

The New York Times - Arts

"Minima Moralia" is as much a work of late modernist literature as of Marxist cultural criticism, and, in an obvious sense, its fragmented form reflects the devastated world that Adorno had been forced to flee.

The New Yorker

So there was enjoyably detailed discussion of the novel's minutiae: the implications of the myth of Eusa, the importance of the moon to the characters, the technology available in Riddley's devastated world, the stigma attached to the "chard coal" burners.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Tens of millions of men, women and children lost their lives in the past century's devastating world wars.

The New York Times

At the time, the inability of the then dominant international power, Britain, to integrate Germany ultimately ended in two devastating world wars.

The New York Times

"Our ministers went over to the Commonwealth countries after two devastating world wars as they needed workers in the cotton mills of Lancashire to the factories in Birmingham.

The Guardian

"At its origins, the European Union brought together nations emerging from the ruins of devastating world wars – which originated on this continent – and united them in a project for peace," he said.

The Guardian

At its origins the European Union brought together nations emerging from the ruins of devastating World Wars – which originated on this continent – and united them in a project for peace.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devastated world" to describe a setting or situation that has experienced widespread destruction or hardship, whether physical, emotional, or societal.

Common error

Avoid using "devastated world" in situations where the scale of destruction or hardship is not significant. It is better reserved for scenarios with substantial and widespread impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devastated world" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The adjective "devastated" modifies the noun "world", describing its condition after a destructive event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devastated world" is used to describe a world that has undergone significant destruction or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and finds most of the example sentences in News & Media and Academic contexts. While the phrase appears relatively uncommon, the various sources that use it are authoritative. Semantically related phrases include "shattered world", "desolate world", and "ravaged world". When using the phrase, reserve it for situations of truly widespread impact to avoid hyperbole. Overall, it's a powerful phrase for emphasizing the severe consequences of a disaster or catastrophe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Shattered world

Focuses on the world being broken or destroyed.

Desolate world

Emphasizes the emptiness and barrenness of the world.

Ravaged world

Highlights the severe damage inflicted upon the world.

Wasted world

Suggests that the world has been used up or ruined.

Ruined world

Stresses the destruction and decay of the world.

Post-apocalyptic world

Specifically implies a world existing after a major catastrophic event.

Blasted world

Emphasizes the violent and destructive nature of the event that affected the world.

Blighted world

Suggests a world afflicted by disease or decay.

Decimated world

Implies that a large portion of the world has been destroyed or killed.

Broken world

Focuses on the world being fractured and irreparable.

FAQs

How can I use "devastated world" in a sentence?

You can use "devastated world" to describe a setting or situation after a major catastrophic event. For example, "The novel portrays a "devastated world" following a nuclear war".

What phrases are similar to "devastated world"?

Phrases like "shattered world", "desolate world", or "ravaged world" can be used to convey similar meanings.

Is it appropriate to use "devastated world" in a non-literal sense?

While primarily used to describe physical destruction, "devastated world" can be used metaphorically to describe a situation with widespread emotional or societal hardship. Consider the context carefully.

What kind of events might lead to a "devastated world"?

Events such as wars, natural disasters, pandemics, or ecological collapses can result in a "devastated world".