devastating

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++dev·a·stat·ing /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/ ●○○ adjective  1  DESTROYbadly damaging or destroying something 毁灭性的，破坏力极强的devastating effect/impact Acid rain has a devastating effect on the forest. 酸雨对森林的破坏力极大。devastating results/consequences The oil spill had devastating consequences for wildlife. 这次石油泄漏事故对野生生物造成了毁灭性的后果。 It will be a devastating blow for the town if the factory closes. 如果工厂关闭，对该镇来说将是沉重的打击。2  SHOCKmaking someone feel extremely sad or shocked 令人悲痛的；令人震惊的，骇人的 He was in Nice when he heard the devastating news. 他是在尼斯听到这个令人震惊的消息的。 Long-term unemployment can be devastating. 长期失业对人的打击很大。3  STRONG FEELING OR BELIEFvery impressive or effective 惊人的；强有力的 In a devastating display of military muscle, soldiers seized the town. 士兵以摧枯拉朽之势占领了这座城镇。4  BEAUTIFUL/GOOD-LOOKING literary extremely attractive 极富吸引力的，极漂亮的 a devastating smile 迷人的微笑 —devastatingly adverb a devastatingly attractive man 迷倒众生的美男子n COLLOCATIONSnounsa devastating effect/impactThe recession has had a devastating impact on employment in this area.devastating consequences/resultsa terrible disease with devastating resultsa devastating flood/fire/earthquake etcThe country is still recovering from last year's devastating floods.a devastating disease/illnessCheaper medicines are needed to fight Aids and other devastating diseases.a devastating warIt will take a long time for the region to recover from such a devastating war.a devastating blow (=a devastating action or event )When a huge car bomb exploded, it was a devastating blow to the peace plan.a devastating defeatThe party suffered a devastating defeat in the local election.

Examples from the Corpus

devastating• The long-term psychological effects of this kind of violence can be devastating.• The news of her sister's death was devastating.• This can have devastating consequences, and may cause long-term damage to the urinary tract.• Never before had his country had such a devastating drought.• But fear of crime can have a devastating effect on people's lives, and particularly on women's lives.• The oil spill had a devastating effect on sea birds and other wildlife.• The stroke had a devastating effect on Stanley's life.• The palace was rebuilt in 1832 after a devastating fire.• Oh, lord, how devastating he looked when he laughed, and how much she longed to join in.• The movie is a devastating parody of the star's life.• Mafouz fell heavily to earth amidst sudden, devastating silence.• Devastating was the word that sprang to mind, so devastating that she wasn't sure she could handle a second shot!devastating effect/impact• The doctrine had a far-reaching, devastating impact.• All had suffered devastating effects from the war.• Why the devastating effect of her imaginings?• The potentially devastating impact of the decimation of many anti-poverty programs on recipients and on their children is explored.• He believes any merger with Darlington could have a devastating effect on health provision for Bishop Auckland.• Does he agree that that policy would have a devastating impact on people who live in the country areas of Teignbridge?• The stroke had a devastating effect on Stanley's life.• Teredo, or shipworm, can have a devastating effect on the hulls of wooden ships at sea.devastating news• Then, and only then is the devastating news given to the old man.

dev·a·stat·ing adjective →n COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable  

damaging Corpus badly or destroying something

devastating
dev‧a‧stat‧ing /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/ adjective
1. badly damaging or destroying something
    devastating effect/impact
    Acid rain has a devastating effect on the forest.
    devastating results/consequences
    The oil spill had devastating consequences for wildlife.
    It will be a devastating blow for the town if the factory closes.
2. making someone feel extremely sad or shocked:
    He was in Nice when he heard the devastating news.
    Long-term unemployment can be devastating.
3. very impressive or effective:
    In a devastating display of military muscle, soldiers seized the town.
4. literary extremely attractive:
    a devastating smile
—devastatingly adverb:
    a devastatingly attractive man
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ nouns
   ▪ a devastating effect/impact The recession has had a devastating impact on employment in this area.
   ▪ devastating consequences/results a terrible disease with devastating results
   ▪ a devastating flood/fire/earthquake etc The country is still recovering from last year's devastating floods.
   ▪ a devastating disease/illness Cheaper medicines are needed to fight Aids and other devastating diseases.
   ▪ a devastating war It will take a long time for the region to recover from such a devastating war.
   ▪ a devastating blow (=a devastating action or event ) When a huge car bomb exploded, it was a devastating blow to the peace plan.
   ▪ a devastating defeat The party suffered a devastating defeat in the local election.

dev·as·tat·ingBrE /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/ 🔊NAmE /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/ 🔊 adjectivecausing a lot of damage and destruction 破坏性极大的；毁灭性的 SYN disastrous ◆a devastating explosion/fire/cyclone 毁灭性的爆炸／火灾／旋风◆Oil spills are having a devastating effect on coral reefs in the ocean. 石油泄漏对海洋里的珊瑚礁有着毁灭性影响。🔊🔊◆He received devastating injuries in the accident. 他在这次事故中受到致命伤害。🔊🔊◆It will be a devastating blow to the local community if the factory closes. 如果这家工厂倒闭，将给当地居民以毁灭性的打击。🔊🔊extremely shocking to a person 令人震惊的；骇人的◆the devastating news that her father was dead她父亲去世的惊人消息impressive and powerful 给人印象深刻的；令人钦佩的；强有力的◆his devastating performance in the 100 metres他在 100 米赛跑中的惊人表现◆Her smile was devastating. 她的笑容令人倾倒。🔊🔊◆a devastating attack on the President's economic record针对总统的经济政绩发动的猛烈抨击▸ dev·as·tat·ing·ly BrE /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋli/ 🔊NAmE /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋli/ 🔊 adverb◆a devastatingly handsome man富有魅力的美男子