1. Wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction
   "a devastating hurricane";
   - annihilative, annihilating, apocalyptic
    
2. Physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination
   "a devastating blow";
   - crushing
    
3. Sharply critical or damaging
   "a devastating portrait of human folly";
   - annihilating, withering

1. Cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly
   "The hurricane devastated the coastal region";
   - lay waste to, waste, desolate, ravage, lay waste
    
2. Overwhelm or overpower
   "He was devastated by his grief when his son died"

See also: destructive, disrespectful

Type of: destroy, engulf, ingulf [archaic], overcome, overpower, overtake, overwhelm, ruin, sweep over