What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
devastated
Example
She was devastated when she heard the news of her father's passing. [devastated: adjective]
Example
The hurricane devastated the small town, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake. [devastated: verb]
shocked
Example
I was shocked to hear that my best friend was moving away. [shocked: adjective]
Example
The audience was shocked by the sudden plot twist in the movie. [shocked: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shocked is more commonly used than devastated in everyday language. Shocked is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while devastated is less common and is typically reserved for more serious or somber situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between devastated and shocked?
Both devastated and shocked can be used in formal and informal contexts, but devastated may be considered more formal due to its association with more serious or somber situations.
