What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
devastating
Example
The hurricane was devastating for the small island community. [devastating: adjective]
Example
The news of her father's death was devastating for her. [devastating: gerund or present participle]
overwhelming
Example
The amount of work she had to do was overwhelming. [overwhelming: adjective]
Example
She felt overwhelmed by the support and kindness of her friends. [overwhelmed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overwhelming is more commonly used than devastating in everyday language. Overwhelming can be used in a wider range of contexts, such as describing a large amount of work or a feeling of being consumed by emotions. Devastating is less common and is typically used to describe a specific event or situation that has caused great damage or emotional pain.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between devastating and overwhelming?
Both devastating and overwhelming can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, devastating may be more appropriate in formal writing or situations where a more serious tone is required, while overwhelming can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
