verheerend
Translation
devastating, disastrous, catastrophic
Examples
Der Sturm hatte verheerende Folgen.
The storm had devastating consequences.
Ein verheerender Brand brach aus.
A devastating fire broke out.
Grammar Patterns
((as an adjective before a noun)) devastating. The devastating flood destroyed everything.
Similar Words
Synonyms: katastrophal, zerstörerisch; Antonyms: heilsam, wohltuend.
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (indicating completion or a negative change) and 'Heer' (army). It literally means 'to lay waste like an army'.
Memory Tips
Imagine an army ('Heer') completely ('ver-') destroying a city. This image captures the 'devastating' meaning.