devastating relationships

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devastating relationships" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe relationships that have caused significant emotional pain or distress. Example: "The constant arguments and lack of communication led to devastating relationships among family members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Three songs Boucher wrote in January-February 2010 -- "Not Fooling Around," "Warning Bell" and "None the Wiser" -- were inspired by the sorrow she felt while witnessing other devastating relationships fall apart.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Without giving too much away, this video includes a wedding proposal, a drunk fly, and devastating relationship turmoil.

Vice

His outspokenness made him the universal choice when, after unification, Germany tackled the daunting task of opening the infamous Stasi files — a fraught undertaking that was sure to devastate relationships and sunder families.

The New York Times

What all that glorification leaves out is the way alcohol can destroy lives -- literally, in traffic and other accidents, or more insidiously through liver disease and other health problems, lost income, lost futures and devastated relationships.

Huffington Post

They come across as manipulative or insincere, which can devastate work relationships.

Science Magazine

On its own terms, it is an anti-romance that, using an experimental form, unveils betrayal's diverse faces, all of which are devastating to the relationships under scrutiny.

The New York Times

The inquiry by the Commons home affairs select committee follows a string of scandals involving undercover police adopting the identities of dead children, and cultivating what it described as "devastating" long-term relationships with political activists before faking their own disappearances.

The Guardian

In that ghostly setting — the war had just ended, and the city was devastated — their relationship began.

The New Yorker

Presley was devastated; their relationship had remained extremely close even into his adulthood, they would use baby talk with each other and Presley would address her with pet names.

Wikipedia

"The result would have been devastating for our relationship with an important country with whom we cooperate closely on terrorism, on security, on the Middle East peace process," Mr. Blair said at a news conference.

The New York Times

"I can absolutely assure you that there is no doubt whatever in my mind - and I think in those of any of the people who have looked at this issue - that, having proceeded with this, the result would have been devastating for our relationship with an important country with whom we cooperate closely on terrorism, on security, on the Middle East peace process," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of events or situations on relationships, use "devastating relationships" to convey a strong sense of emotional or structural damage. For less intense situations, consider alternatives like "strained relationships" or "difficult relationships".

Common error

Avoid using "devastating relationships" to describe minor disagreements or temporary setbacks. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the impact on the relationship is profound and lasting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devastating relationships" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, modifying the noun "relationships" with the adjective "devastating". It indicates that the relationships in question have suffered severe damage or destruction, causing significant emotional distress or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devastating relationships" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe relationships that have undergone severe damage, leading to significant emotional distress or negative outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in various contexts, including news, personal narratives, and academic discussions. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's crucial to reserve its use for situations where the impact is profound and lasting, avoiding overuse in milder scenarios. Alternatives like "destructive relationships" or "harmful relationships" may be more appropriate for less intense situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destructive relationships

Focuses on the destructive aspect of the relationships, highlighting the damage they cause.

harmful relationships

Emphasizes the detrimental effects that the relationships have on individuals.

traumatic relationships

Highlights the deeply distressing or disturbing experiences within the relationships.

emotionally damaging relationships

Specifically points out the emotional harm inflicted by the relationships.

failed relationships

Focuses on the unsuccessful nature and the negative outcomes of the relationships.

shattered relationships

Emphasizes the broken or ruined state of the relationships.

relationships in turmoil

Highlights the state of disturbance and chaos within the relationships.

relationships marked by devastation

Explicitly states that the relationships are characterized by significant destruction or distress.

relationships leading to despair

Focuses on the outcome of the relationships, highlighting the feelings of hopelessness they cause.

relationships that inflict suffering

Emphasizes the pain and distress caused by the relationships.

FAQs

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

You can use "devastating relationships" to describe situations where relationships have been severely damaged by events such as betrayal, loss, or conflict. For example, "The scandal led to "devastating relationships" within the family."

What are some alternatives to "devastating relationships"?

Alternatives include phrases like "destructive relationships", "harmful relationships", or "emotionally damaging relationships" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "devastating relationships" formal or informal?

"Devastating relationships" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts when describing relationships severely damaged by significant events. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the specific context of the discussion.

What makes a relationship qualify as "devastating relationships"?

A relationship qualifies as "devastating relationships" when it experiences significant, long-lasting damage that results in emotional distress, loss of trust, or complete breakdown. It implies a severe negative impact that is difficult to recover from.