devastate
verb
dev·as·tate
ˈde-və-ˌstāt 
devastated; devastating
1
: to bring to ruin or desolation by violent action
a country devastated by war
The typhoon devastated the island.
2
: to reduce to chaos, disorder, or helplessness : overwhelm
devastated by grief
Her wisecrack devastated the class.
Examples of devastate in a Sentence
The flood devastated the town.
The disease has devastated the area's oak tree population.
The hurricane left the island completely devastated.
Recent Examples on the Web
People were aware of the risk of fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and a 1923 magnitude 8 earthquake and firestorm that devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, causing an astonishing 142,800 deaths, according to the USGS.
—
Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
He’s been through adversity and grown stronger James’ drive to give back began during his freshman year at Tulane, when Hurricane Ida devastated New Orleans.
—Shane Connuck
june 26, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025
April Hernandez, whose dog Ziggy, a 2-year-old male Shepherd mix, died in Sit’s care, was shocked and devastated to learn of the death.
—Sean Emery, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Meanwhile, tourists already look askance at a city torn by rioting and devastated by fire.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
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Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
He’s been through adversity and grown stronger James’ drive to give back began during his freshman year at Tulane, when Hurricane Ida devastated New Orleans.
—Shane Connuck
june 26, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025
April Hernandez, whose dog Ziggy, a 2-year-old male Shepherd mix, died in Sit’s care, was shocked and devastated to learn of the death.
—Sean Emery, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Meanwhile, tourists already look askance at a city torn by rioting and devastated by fire.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devastate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
devastate
verb
dev·as·tate
ˈdev-ə-ˌstāt
devastated; devastating
1
: to reduce to ruin : lay waste
2
: overwhelm sense 2, overpower
devastated by grief
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