devastating

Adjective
US[dev-uh-stey-ting]/ˈdɛvəˌsteɪtɪŋ/4 syllables
Synonyms: annihilatingwitheringannihilativecrushing

Open English WordNet

Adjective (3)

  1. making light of“afire with annihilating invective”“a devastating portrait of human folly”“to compliments inflated I've a withering reply — W.S.Gilbert”Synonyms: annihilatingwitheringOpposite respectfulSimilar disrespectful
  2. wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction“possessing annihilative power”“a devastating hurricane”“the guns opened a withering fire”Synonyms: annihilativeannihilatingwitheringOpposite constructiveSimilar destructive
  3. physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination“a crushing blow”“a crushing rejection”“bone-crushing”Synonyms: crushingOpposite constructiveSimilar destructive
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ephemeranoun

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

devastating adjective

1. highly critical; making light of; as, a devastating portrait of human folly. Syn. — annihilating, withering.

2. causing or capable of causing complete destruction; as, a devastating hurricane. Syn. — annihilative.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: WordNet 1.5

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