devastate

verb

dev·​as·​tate ˈde-və-ˌstāt 

devastated; devastating

transitive verb

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.

devastation

ˌde-və-ˈstā-shən 

noun

devastative

ˈde-və-ˌstā-tiv 

adjective

devastator

ˈde-və-ˌstā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• destroy
• ravage
• ruin
• scourge

Choose the Right Synonym for devastate

ravage, devastate, waste, sack, pillage, despoil mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying.

ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.

settlements pillaged by Vikings

despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

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

Related article ‘Huge disappointment:’ Zelensky blasts Modi meeting with Putin the same day Russian attack devastates Ukraine hospital More than half of the civilian casualties were in Kharkiv – even though the region encompasses a relatively small area compared to the whole country. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 14 July 2024

Related:Soon-to-be father shot and killed on Indy's northwest side Their children, an 11-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son, are devastated, according to Moore. —Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 14 July 2024

The Watch Fire has devastated the San Carlos Apache Tribe community, destroying at least 13 homes and leaving 75 people homeless. —Christina Avery, The Arizona Republic, 13 July 2024

Based on the 1987 novel by Scott Turow (who serves as co-executive producer), Presumed Innocent follows the story of Rusty Sabich (Gyllenhaal), a chief deputy prosecutor in Chicago who is devastated when his colleague — and former mistress — Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve) is found murdered. —EW.com, 12 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

devastatingly

-ˌstāt-iŋ-lē 

adverb

devastation

ˌdev-ə-ˈstā-shən 

noun