devastated

/ˈdevəsteɪtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdevəsteɪtɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-və-ˌstā-təd/ (ame, mw)

devastated — adjective

  • devastatedpositive
  • more devastatedcomparative
  • most devastatedsuperlative

1. so badly damaged by a disaster or attack that almost nothing useful is left stan

1.形容詞B2
釋義

so badly damaged by a disaster or attack that almost nothing useful is left standing or working.

例句

The fishing village was devastated by the tsunami before sunrise.

be devastated by [natural disaster]

A kitchen fire left Tamar's apartment devastated and unsafe to enter.

leave + place + devastated

同義詞
  • ruined

    broader and a little less extreme; can describe plans or reputations as well as places.

  • destroyed

    close in meaning, but more common as a verb than as an adjective.

  • ravaged

    often stresses severe damage over a wide area, especially by war, fire, or disease.

反義詞
  • intact

    not broken or damaged; still complete.

  • undamaged

    not harmed by the event.

文法句型

be devastated by [disaster/attack]

leave/find + place + devastated

用法筆記

Usually describes towns, homes, farmland, or other places after war, fire, storms, or similar large-scale damage. Distinguish from sense 2, where a person feels the emotional effect of loss or terrible news.

常見錯誤

❌My chair was devastated when one leg broke.
✅My chair was badly damaged when one leg broke.
💡'Devastated' is for extreme destruction, usually on a much larger scale.

2. feeling so shocked and deeply sad after a loss, failure, or terrible news that i

2.形容詞B2
釋義

feeling so shocked and deeply sad after a loss, failure, or terrible news that it is hard to think or act normally.

例句

Yuna was devastated when the doctor called about her father.

be devastated + when-clause (bad news)

After the final whistle, the young goalkeeper looked devastated on the field.

同義詞
  • heartbroken

    focuses more on grief and sadness, especially after losing a person or relationship.

  • shattered

    suggests a person feels broken and unable to recover quickly.

  • crushed

    common for heavy disappointment, but not always as emotionally overwhelming.

  • distraught

    more formal; stresses visible emotional distress and confusion.

反義詞
  • relieved

    feeling better because something bad did not happen or has ended.

  • calm

    emotionally steady rather than overwhelmed.

文法句型

be devastated by [loss/news]

feel/look devastated

be devastated when/after

用法筆記

Often follows 'be', 'feel', or 'look', and the cause is commonly introduced by 'by', 'after', or a clause with 'when'. It is much stronger than 'upset' and usually fits major loss, grief, disaster, or crushing disappointment.

常見錯誤

❌I was devastated because the bus was five minutes late.
✅I was annoyed because the bus was five minutes late.
💡'Devastated' is for extremely serious loss or disappointment, not small daily problems.