Entry Word: devastate

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to bring destruction to (something) through violent action <the city was devastated, first by the earthquake and then by fires> — see ravage
2 to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of <the explosion devastated an entire city block> — see destroy 1
3 to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress <we were devastated by the awful news> — see overwhelm 1