less devastating than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less devastating than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the severity of two situations, indicating that one is not as severe as the other. Example: "The storm was less devastating than the one we experienced last year, causing only minor damage to the town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Still, experts said, Hurricane Charley was less devastating than Hurricane Andrew.

The New York Times

The end-Triassic mass extinction was less devastating than its counterpart at the end of the Permian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The denouement of "Life Sentences" is only slightly less devastating than that of Ms. Lippman's "What the Dead Know".

The New York Times - Books

This drawing back to the original parent-child relationship, of her helping you, may be less devastating than acknowledging that she needs help.

The New York Times

They calculated that the risk that they could not get the bill back to the floor was less devastating than an actual defeat would be.

The New York Times

And if they somehow perish, the financial impact on a poor family is far less devastating than the loss of a cow or pig.Earlier this year the FAO held a conference in Thailand to investigate the benefits of eating insects.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

For Romney, that's a far less devastating attack than others he might have faced – and what's more, it actually dovetails perfectly with his planned general election campaign, in which he wants to be perceived as the competent alternative to Barack Obama's failed attempt at revolutionary change.

The New York Times

Because white supremacy also hurts white people, in much less devastating ways than what it does to people of color to be sure, but it allows a little bit of space to also dissect how every individual suffers under white supremacy (even white people that also overwhelmingly benefit).

Huffington Post

Gurney's anti-hero is less devastating, less exposed than he should be, and this gallant work suffers for it.

The New Yorker

People think that it is less devastating and less important than physical illness because you cannot see it.

The New York Times

But their failure is likely to be less devastating nine months now than it would be today.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing events, ensure you provide specific details about both situations to give context to the comparison. For example, specify what aspects of each event are being compared, such as the number of casualties or the extent of property damage.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "less devastating than" without providing a clear point of reference. Ensure the comparison is specific and avoids broad statements that could be misleading. A vague comparison can weaken your argument and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less devastating than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something by contrasting its negative impact with that of another, implying that the first is not as severe or destructive. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less devastating than" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative expression. Ludwig AI indicates that it’s correct and applicable in various writing contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business communications, serving to provide a relative assessment of negative impacts. To ensure clarity, it's important to provide specific context when comparing situations. While alternatives exist, such as "not as catastrophic as" or "not as harmful as", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "less devastating than" to communicate the relative severity of events or situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as severe as

Directly compares the intensity or seriousness of two situations.

not as catastrophic as

Emphasizes a lower degree of disaster or ruin compared to something else.

not nearly as bad as

Emphasizes a significantly lower degree of negativity or harm.

not as harmful as

Focuses on the reduced level of damage or injury caused.

less damaging than

Highlights the diminished extent of physical or abstract harm.

milder than

Indicates a gentler or more moderate level of severity.

not as extreme as

Underscores a reduced level of intensity or extremity.

not as critical as

Highlights the lower level of importance or urgency compared to something else.

pales in comparison to

Highlights the relative insignificance of one thing compared to another.

easier to recover from than

Focuses on the comparative recoverability from two different situations.

FAQs

How can I use "less devastating than" in a sentence?

Use "less devastating than" to compare two events or situations, indicating that one caused less damage or harm. For example: "The economic downturn was "less devastating than" the Great Depression." This compares the severity of the two events.

What are some alternatives to saying "less devastating than"?

You can use alternatives like "not as catastrophic as", "not as harmful as", or "milder than depending on the context. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "less severe than" or "less devastating than"?

"Less severe than" is a more general comparison of intensity, while "less devastating than" emphasizes the degree of ruin or destruction. Choose the phrase that more accurately reflects the context of your comparison.

What does it mean when something is described as "less devastating than" another event?

It means that, while both events had negative impacts, the event described as ""less devastating than"" the other caused fewer casualties, less property damage, or a smaller overall negative impact.