How to pronounce devastating
Say it like DEV-uh-stay-ting. Devastating has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce devastating. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEV
- uh
- stay
- ting
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Devastating pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- stayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of devastating
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: DEV-uh-stay-ting.
What does devastating mean?
- making light of“afire with annihilating invective”“a devastating portrait of human folly”
- wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction“possessing annihilative power”“a devastating hurricane”
- physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination“a crushing blow”“a crushing rejection”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying devastating
How do you pronounce devastating?
Say DEV-uh-stay-ting. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛvəˌsteɪtɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈdɛvəˌsteɪtɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in devastating?
Devastating has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEV). Broken into parts: DEV · uh · stay · ting.
Is devastating pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈdɛvəˌsteɪtɪŋ/ (DEV-uh-stay-ting).