Synonyms

devastated

American

[dev-uh-stey-tid] / ˈdɛv əˌsteɪ tɪd /

adjective

laid waste; made desolate.

After the earthquake there were concerns about asbestos in the rubble of many of the devastated houses.
overwhelmed or shocked, especially by profound loss, disappointment, humiliation, etc..

I’m grateful that no one I knew personally died in the hurricane, but my heart goes out to all those devastated families.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of devastate.

Other Word Forms

undevastated

adjective

Etymology

Origin of devastated

devastate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Devastated, Solovyov could no longer find the strength to work and took early retirement.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

Appeared in the September 24, 2025, print edition as 'Camp Mystic, Devastated by Floods, to Reopen'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 24, 2025

Devastated, she applied for a formal review of the CPS's decisions.

From BBC • May 13, 2025

Devastated, Cher lobbied CBS not to pick up the popular show for Season 4.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2024

Devastated people were scattered across the fields, our friends, neighbors, and relatives, facing unthinkable grief.

From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023