devastating statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devastating statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement that has a significant negative impact or emotional weight. Example: "The CEO's resignation came as a devastating statement to the employees, leaving them in shock and uncertainty about the company's future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But the truly global implications of the International Energy Agency's flagship report for 2012 lie elsewhere, in the quietly devastating statement that no more than one-third of already proven reserves of fossil fuels can be burned by 2050 if the world is to prevent global warming exceeding the danger point of 2C.

The Guardian

Long blocks of expository text are often only briefly interrupted by one character saying something to another like, "I think we'd better cancel St. Lucia," which the astute reader is meant to understand as a devastating statement.

The New York Times - Books

That's a devastating statement.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The House Democratic leader, Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, called the measure "devastating legislation" in a statement Thursday.

The New York Times

45" of the North Briton, a devastating attack upon ministerial statements in the King's speech, which Wilkes described as false.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Humphries said he was devastated in a statement that called him "committed to this marriage".

The New York Times - Arts

"We're devastated," says circus statement.

HuffPost

But what struck Pakistanis about Karzai's visit was not his cloying remarks about the fraternal love of the Afghan and Pakistani people – "India is our close friend but Pakistan is like a twin brother," he piously observed – but his astonishing statement that the devastating missile attacks against Pakistan by pilotless US drone aircraft were not being launched from inside Afghanistan.

Independent

"In virtually every substantive interview with prosecutors, despite entreaties to simply be truthful, she has not been truthful on matters great and small," the document said, adding that the cumulative effect of Diallo's misleading statements would prove "devastating" at any jury trial on the case.

The Guardian

"This is devastating news," Mr. Manchin said in a statement, "and our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the miners who have died.

The New York Times

His death was "devastating and unbelievable", they said in a statement.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devastating statement" when you want to emphasize the severely negative impact or emotional weight of a particular message or declaration. It is best used when the statement causes significant distress, damage, or shock.

Common error

Avoid using "devastating statement" for situations that are merely disappointing or inconvenient. Reserve it for truly significant and harmful pronouncements to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devastating statement" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'devastating' modifies the noun 'statement'. It acts as a subject complement or object, describing the nature of the statement. Ludwig AI indicates that it correctly describes statements of severe negative impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Opinion

4%

Arts

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "devastating statement" is used to describe announcements that carry significant negative impact and emotional weight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. Usage is common across News & Media sources, fitting a neutral to formal register. Alternatives like "crushing announcement" or "heartbreaking disclosure" can be used to adjust the nuance. To maintain its impact, reserve its use for truly serious situations rather than minor inconveniences. Remember that the context defines the use of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crushing announcement

Replaces 'statement' with 'announcement', emphasizing the act of making something publicly known and potentially damaging.

shocking revelation

Replaces 'devastating' with 'shocking' and 'statement' with 'revelation', emphasizing surprise and the revealing of something previously unknown.

damning indictment

Replaces 'devastating' with 'damning' and 'statement' with 'indictment', indicating a strong accusation or condemnation.

heartbreaking disclosure

Replaces 'devastating' with 'heartbreaking' and 'statement' with 'disclosure', focusing on the emotional impact of the information.

catastrophic declaration

Replaces 'devastating' with 'catastrophic' and 'statement' with 'declaration', highlighting the disastrous nature of the message.

tragic pronouncement

Replaces 'devastating' with 'tragic' and 'statement' with 'pronouncement', emphasizing the sad and solemn nature of the information.

ruinous assertion

Replaces 'devastating' with 'ruinous' and 'statement' with 'assertion', highlighting the destructive effect of the claim.

debilitating admission

Replaces 'devastating' with 'debilitating' and 'statement' with 'admission', suggesting that the statement weakens or impairs.

destructive pronouncement

Replaces 'devastating' with 'destructive' and 'statement' with 'pronouncement', indicating the damaging nature of the declaration.

calamitous message

Replaces 'devastating' with 'calamitous' and 'statement' with 'message', focusing on the disastrous nature of the communicated information.

FAQs

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

You can use "devastating statement" to describe pronouncements that cause significant distress or damage. For example: "The doctor's diagnosis was a "devastating statement" for the family."

What are some alternatives to "devastating statement"?

Alternatives include "crushing announcement", "shocking revelation", or "heartbreaking disclosure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "devastating statement" in formal writing?

Yes, "devastating statement" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a statement with severe negative consequences or emotional impact. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

What makes a statement qualify as a "devastating statement"?

A statement qualifies as a "devastating statement" when it delivers news or information that causes significant emotional distress, irreversible damage, or a major negative turning point for individuals or organizations.