If you’re writing a military fiction novel and need some words to describe the horrors of war, feel free to use the 10 below.
1. Traumatizing
Definition
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Examples
“The war had been a traumatizing experience for all the soldiers, and they needed a lot of help returning to a normal life when they got back home.”
“The experience had been so traumatizing that she often woke up in the middle of the night, feeling as though she were still in the trenches.”
How It Adds Description
War has a lasting impact not only on someone’s body but on their mind as well. Trauma and other mental issues can be difficult to recover from. Demonstrate the mental wounds your character carries with them after the war by using the word traumatizing.
2. Devastating
Definition
Causing great or extremely serious harm; causing emotional pain.
Examples
“The after-effects of the war were devastating—many people were left homeless in the ruins of the city.”
“The most devastating part of the war was the way it changed the lives of everyday people forever.”
How It Adds Description
The word devastating has a lot of emotion behind it. As mentioned earlier, the horrors of war go deeper than just physical injury. To demonstrate everything that war in your story has ruined both physically and emotionally, use this word.
3. Destructive
Definition
Causing destruction; designed or intending to destroy or harm.
Examples
“The destructive nature of the war was apparent even after it had ended.”
“Ultimately, the war had been more destructive than it had been helpful, and everyone involved knew that it would take a lot of time end effort to rebuild what they once had.”
How It Adds Description
War can destroy a lot of things. You can use the word destructive to describe the physical destruction that’s taken place in your story. It’s also a good way to show that the war was not actually beneficial.
4. Catastrophic
Definition
Relating to an event that is characterized by extreme misfortune, ruin, or disaster.
Examples
“It was only when the soldiers came back home that the truly catastrophic effects of the war became evident.”
“The war had been completely catastrophic and even those watching knew that their lives would never be the same after it.”
How It Adds Description
A catastrophe is more than just a negative experience. It’s something that has had massively ruinous effects. Wars tend to have these effects, so using this word is a good way to show your readers the extent of what the war in your story has done.
5. Tragic
Definition
Characterized by tragedy; being lamentable or deplorable; unpleasant.
Examples
“Everyone in town considered the war to be a tragic thing, but no one felt that they could speak openly about it.”
“While the war had been hard to watch from afar, its true tragic nature was even more obvious when the soldiers returned home.”
How It Adds Description
War brings about things like injury, death, and loss, which have long-lasting emotional impacts. The word tragic will show the extreme feelings behind the war.
6. Lamentable
Definition
Marked by mourning or grief; able to be lamented or regretted.
Examples
“The most lamentable part of the war was how difficult it was for the soldiers and their families to deal with the subsequent trauma.”
“As far as she could tell, there were no real benefits to the war, and the entire thing had simply been completely lamentable.”
How It Adds Description
The horrors that war brings can also bring about a lot of regrets. Since that’s the case, the word lamentable is a good word to use. It implies that the war should never have happened in the first place.
7. Deplorable
Definition
Deserving of contempt or censure; wretched; regrettable.
Examples
“Everyone knew that the war was deplorable, and they weren’t afraid to voice their opinions when the meeting came.”
“Even though she knew that the war was deplorable, she also knew that because of the tensions that had arisen over the years, it was inevitable.”
How It Adds Description
Want to make sure your readers understand the weight of the effects of the war? The word deplorable can help to demonstrate that there were no honorable actions taken during the war in your story.
8. Monstrous
Definition
Uniquely vicious or violent; shockingly wrong; having the qualities or appearance of a monster.
Examples
“The soldiers had all committed monstrous acts during the war, and that was something everyone would have to come to terms with later.”
“The most monstrous effects of the war were on the children, who often had to go hungry without truly understanding why.”
How It Adds Description
Wars are often inhumane. Emphasize exactly how terrible and inhumane the war in your story is by describing it as monstrous. This shows how violent the actions during the war were, as well as how wrong they were.
9. Horrible
Definition
Marked by or causing intense fear, aversion, or terror; extremely unpleasant or bad.
Examples
“Everything about the war was horrible—from the injuries inflicted upon both the soldiers and civilians to the propaganda everyone at home had to see.”
“There was no one who didn’t find the war to be completely horrible, and the general consensus was that it should never have happened.”
How It Adds Description
This may seem like a simple word to use, but it’s an effective one. The word horrible will show your readers how bad or frightening the war has been for your characters.
10. Shocking
Definition
Causing shock; extremely surprising or startling; distressing or offensive.
Examples
“Hearing more about what the soldiers had experienced in their time overseas was completely shocking to those who had remained at home.”
“She knew it would be shocking to be part of the war, but it was only when she arrived that she truly realized the extent of what was happening.”
How It Adds Description
It’s one thing for characters to hear about a war, and another to participate in it. Your characters may find it quite shocking to see the horrors of war firsthand, making this a great word to use.