French word

dévastateur

Pronunciation

IPA/devastatœʁ/

Meaning

  • adjectivedevastating

Example

L'incendie a été dévastateur pour le village.

The fire was devastating for the village.

Illustration for dévastateur (devastating)

More examples

L'épidémie a eu un effet dévastateur sur l'économie.

The epidemic had a devastating effect on the economy.

Core concept

A powerful blow that leaves a place, system, or emotional life in ruins.

Common phrases

  • effet dévastateur

    devastating effect

  • impact dévastateur

    devastating impact

  • bilan dévastateur

    devastating result

Similar words

grave: Involving a serious and important problem or situation.
terrible: Extremely bad or distressing in its effects.
catastrophique: Causing severe damage or disruption across a wide area.
dévastant: Causing damage or loss severe enough to transform things completely.

Definition in French

Qui cause des destructions si importantes qu'elles modifient profondément un lieu ou une situation.

Word origin

French dévastateur is formed from dévaster plus -ateur, a suffix used in adjectives describing an agent or a property.

Usage tips

  • Dévastateur is also used figuratively for severe economic or emotional damage, but its strong force makes it unsuitable for minor setbacks.

Other meanings

  • destructiveadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • dévasterdevastateverb
  • dévastationdevastationnoun
  • dévastédevastatedadjective

Word lists with this word