Main Entry: dev·as·tate

Pronunciation: \ˈde-və-ˌstāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): dev·as·tat·ed; dev·as·tat·ing

Etymology: Latin devastatus, past participle of devastare, from de- + vastare to lay waste — more at waste

Date: 1638

1 : to bring to ruin or desolation by violent action <a country devastated by war>
2 : to reduce to chaos, disorder, or helplessness : overwhelm <devastated by grief> <her wisecrack devastated the class>

synonyms see ravage

— dev·as·tat·ing·ly \-ˌstā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

— dev·as·ta·tion \ˌde-və-ˈstā-shən\ noun

— dev·as·tat·ive \ˈde-və-ˌstā-tiv\ adjective

— dev·as·ta·tor \-ˌstā-tər\ noun