devastate
Americanverb (used with object)
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devastates,
present (3rd person singular)
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devastated,
past participle, past
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devastating
present participle
-
to lay waste; render desolate.
The invaders devastated the city.
-
to overwhelm, as with grief or dismay: Those rumors appeared to have devastated her.
We are devastated by this news and deeply saddened by the unexpected loss of our friend.
Those rumors appeared to have devastated her.
verb
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to lay waste or make desolate; ravage; destroy
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to confound or overwhelm, as with grief or shock
Synonym Usage
See ravage.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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devastatesimple
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devastatessimple
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have devastatedperfect
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has devastatedperfect
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am devastatingprogressive
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are devastatingprogressive
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is devastatingprogressive
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have been devastatingperfect progressive
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has been devastatingperfect progressive
Past
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devastatedsimple
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had devastatedperfect
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was devastatingprogressive
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were devastatingprogressive
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had been devastatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of devastate
First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin dēvastātus “laid waste” (past participle of dēvastāre ), equivalent to dē- + vast(āre) “to lay waste” (akin to vastus “empty”) + -ātus; see origin at de-, waste ( def. ), -ate 1
Explanation
If a storm devastates your town, it comes pretty close to destroying it. To devastate is to cause destruction to or overwhelm. Really bad news can devastate a person, or leave them devastated. They are so upset, they feel crushed. A basketball team can devastate an opponent by running roughshod over their defense. The root of the word is the Latin vastare which means to lay waste, which comes from vastus meaning desolate or empty. Imagine a city laid waste after a major earthquake and you've got the picture!
Vocabulary lists containing devastate
List 5
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Divergent
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Tears of a Tiger
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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.
See Examples For:
His decision to allow exploratory drilling in the area known as the Brazilian Equatorial Margin was heavily criticised by environmentalists, who raised concerns that any potential oil spills could devastate its ecosystem.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
The screwworm, which has the capacity to devastate cattle and sheep herds, has now appeared in Texas, where its costs could be enormous.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026
The arrival of a potentially powerful El Nino weather system this year could devastate coral reefs around the world already weakened by back-to-back rounds of bleaching, scientists warn.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
If both spouses eventually need care, the numbers can devastate even substantial nest eggs.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 27, 2026
“It would devastate intelligence agencies across the globe,” he reasoned.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
It’s a burden that not only devastates families financially but also takes a toll on their health.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 23, 2026
“I think it’s that scarring, mental-health-wise. It just really devastates a person in a way they can’t come back from.”
From New York Times ● Jun. 6, 2024
The world is once again watching, as El Niño devastates coral reefs throughout the Indian Ocean.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 12, 2024
Many people have no idea they are infected, going years without symptoms before the blood-borne virus devastates the liver.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 4, 2024
The news could never be ignored: An earthquake devastates Haiti.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
She recalled how much he loved the beach, and was devastated when he was diagnosed with skin cancer, which transitioned into brain cancer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said whole streets "have been devastated" in the capital, making a distinction between the "fundamental" right to protest and "unacceptable" violence.
From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2026
Bend, a popular destination for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation scene, "is devastated," Vanetsky said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
In the 20th century, national self-assertion generated two conflicts that devastated Europe and left few parts of the globe untouched.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
While I’m devastated to lose Gran, I know that if she can’t see the truth about who he is and who I am, then, sad to say, it’s her loss.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Under a policy based on the premise that the dead trees, or “snags,” will become fuel for future devastating wildfires and hinder planting of replacement trees, the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
They described the apparent attack as "devastating and unfathomable".
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
"I know how devastating this will be for the Wangaratta community and all those who Helen represents," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026
Following the devastating 2015-2016 El Niño, Morton worked with scientists from the University of California, Irvine; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; and the University of Maryland to examine how tropical fires followed shifting rainfall patterns.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
The consequences for real families can be devastating.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
