lay waste to

phrase

: to cause very bad damage to (something)

The fire laid waste to the land.

Examples of lay waste to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Trojans unquestioningly bring the horse, apparently a religious offering, within their city walls, only for a handful of Greek troops hidden inside, led by Odysseus, to open the gates, letting in a horde of warriors who lay waste to Troy. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026

The 8th Air Force used these bombers (except the B-29) along with the RAF to lay waste to entire German cities, 15 of which were almost totally destroyed. — Carl Burdette, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2025

These destructive pests can lay waste to an entire patch of squash in short order. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025

As automation and globalization continue to lay waste to the backbreaking work of the past, jobs associated with the most specialized of skills sets are exploding. — John Tamny, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Rhymes for lay waste to

• hullabaloo
• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup

Video

Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.