What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
devastating
Example
The news of the plane crash was devastating for the families of the victims. [devastating: adjective]
Example
The hurricane left a devastating trail of destruction in its wake. [devastating: adjective]
disastrous
Example
The company's decision to invest in that project turned out to be disastrous. [disastrous: adjective]
Example
The oil spill had disastrous effects on the local ecosystem. [disastrous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disastrous is more commonly used than devastating in everyday language. Disastrous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while devastating is less common and often used in personal or emotional situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between devastating and disastrous?
Both devastating and disastrous can be used in formal and informal contexts, but disastrous is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels.
