| Library / English Dictionary |
DEVASTATING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction
Example:
the guns opened a withering fire
Synonyms:
annihilating; annihilative; devastating; withering
Classified under:
Similar:
destructive (causing destruction or much damage)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination
Example:
bone-crushing
Synonyms:
crushing; devastating
Classified under:
Similar:
destructive (causing destruction or much damage)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Making light of
Example:
to compliments inflated I've a withering reply
Synonyms:
annihilating; devastating; withering
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
disrespectful (exhibiting lack of respect; rude and discourteous)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb devastate
Context examples:
The effects of the Eldgjá eruption must have been devastating for the young colony on Iceland – very likely, land was abandoned and famine severe.
(Volcanic eruption influenced Iceland’s conversion to Christianity, University of Cambridge)
This study provides important insights into how a devastating disease has affected bats in the U.S. Such information is essential for developing management plans to help save these species.
(Hibernation season over, will disease-ridden bats emerge from caves and mines this spring?, NSF)
Now, NSF-funded researchers at Gladstone Institutes are approaching this devastating disease from a different angle.
(Predicting Alzheimer's-like memory loss before it strikes, National Science Foundation)
“While we know that damage to brain cells can be devastating, the exact impact of this vascular injury following head trauma is uncertain and requires further study.”
(Microbleeds may worsen outcome after head injury, National Institutes of Health)
The disease can range from relatively mild to devastating.
(Vitamin D Levels Predict Multiple Sclerosis Progression, NIH)
The researchers, led by the University of Cambridge, applied an experimental gene therapy treatment in mice and were able to successfully target and eliminate the damaged DNA in mitochondria which causes the devastating conditions.
(Mitochondrial diseases could be treated with gene therapy, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
