verheerend
Translation
devastating, disastrous, catastrophic
Examples
Er überlebte den verheerenden Unfall.
He survived the devastating accident.
Nach dem verheerenden Sturm halfen alle.
After the devastating storm, everyone helped.
Grammar Patterns
((as an inflected adjective)) devastating. The consequences of the devastating earthquake are still unclear.
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
Picture an army ('Heer') completely ('ver-') destroying everything in its path. This visual helps remember its 'devastating' impact.