really devastating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really devastating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the severity or impact of a situation or event that causes great emotional or physical harm. Example: "The news of the natural disaster was really devastating for the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

It's really devastating".

The Guardian

The words are so clear-eyed, really devastating.

The New York Times

"It's really devastating if you're finally turning the corner".

The New York Times

"It was a graffiti ink, high-quality, really devastating".

The Guardian - Arts

Just to take the whole facility is really devastating".

The New York Times

I'm homebound now, and if I lost my lights it would be really devastating.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"I was really devastated, but it lasted ― the period of devastation was so short," Owens said on a segment of "Good Morning America" after the coverage. .

Huffington Post

"I was really devastated, but it lasted ― the period of devastation was so short,"  Owens said on "Good Morning America," wearing a Yale University hat and his Trader Joe's name tag.

Huffington Post

"I was really devastated".

The New York Times

"That really devastates me.

The Guardian

"I'm really devastated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really devastating" to emphasize the significant negative impact of a situation, but consider the audience and context to ensure the intensity of the phrase is appropriate. For example, it is more appropriate to use with family or friends than with professional acquaintance.

Common error

Avoid overusing "really devastating", as frequent repetition can diminish its impact. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "utterly crushing" or "truly heartbreaking" to maintain the expressiveness of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really devastating" functions primarily as an intensifier combined with an adjective. Really serves to amplify the adjective devastating, which describes something causing great damage, destruction, or emotional distress. This intensifies the impact of the adjective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really devastating" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that amplifies the impact of the adjective "devastating". Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it serves to emphasize significant negative events or emotional distress. While versatile, varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "utterly crushing" or "truly heartbreaking" can enhance the expressiveness of your writing. Remember to use it appropriately to convey the depth of the situation while maintaining clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly crushing

Emphasizes the completeness and severity of the emotional or physical damage.

truly heartbreaking

Highlights the emotional pain and sorrow caused by the situation.

genuinely ruinous

Focuses on the destructive and damaging consequences of the event.

extremely damaging

Indicates a high degree of harm, either physical or emotional.

exceptionally tragic

Underscores the unfortunate and sorrowful nature of the event.

profoundly upsetting

Stresses the deep emotional disturbance and distress caused.

incredibly destructive

Highlights the immense level of destruction and damage.

terribly distressing

Emphasizes the severe mental or emotional suffering caused.

absolutely calamitous

Focuses on the catastrophic and disastrous nature of the situation.

awfully shattering

Indicates a breakdown or collapse of emotional stability.

FAQs

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

Use "really devastating" to describe situations or events that cause significant emotional or physical harm. For example: "The news of the job losses was really devastating for the town".

What are some alternatives to "really devastating"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly crushing", "truly heartbreaking", or "extremely damaging" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is "really devastating" too strong for formal writing?

While "really devastating" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "profoundly upsetting" or "exceptionally tragic" in academic or business contexts to maintain a professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use "really devastating" over "devastating"?

Use "really devastating" when you want to emphasize the extreme level of impact or emotional distress. The addition of "really" amplifies the intensity of the adjective.