What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
devastated
Example
I was devastated when I found out my dog had passed away. [devastated: adjective]
Example
The hurricane devastated the small town, leaving many homeless. [devastated: verb]
traumatized
Example
She was traumatized by the car accident and couldn't drive for months. [traumatized: adjective]
Example
The soldiers who returned from war were traumatized by the violence they witnessed. [traumatized: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Devastated is more commonly used in everyday language than traumatized. Devastated is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while traumatized is more specific and often used in a clinical or therapeutic setting.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between devastated and traumatized?
Traumatized is a more formal word than devastated. It is often used in a clinical or therapeutic context and may not be as commonly used in everyday language.