What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
devastate
Example
The hurricane devastated the coastal town, leaving many homeless. [devastated: past tense]
Example
The news of her father's death devastated her emotionally. [devastate: verb]
wreck
Example
The car wreck left the driver with serious injuries. [wreck: noun]
Example
The explosion wrecked the factory, causing millions of dollars in damage. [wrecked: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wreck is more commonly used than devastate in everyday language. Wreck is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while devastate is less common and typically used in more serious or formal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between devastate and wreck?
While wreck can be used in both formal and informal contexts, devastate is typically associated with a more formal tone due to its serious connotation.
