1.
If you describe something as devastating, you are emphasizing that it is very harmful or damaging.
Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.
ADJ: usu ADJ n [emphasis]
2.
You can use devastating to emphasize that something is very shocking, upsetting, or terrible.
The diagnosis was devastating. She had cancer.
ADJ [emphasis]
3.
You can use devastating to emphasize that something or someone is very impressive.
...a devastating display of galloping and jumping...
ADJ [emphasis]
• devastatingly
Its advertising is devastatingly successful...
ADV: usu ADV adj/-ed