devastate

[dev-uh-steyt]

See more synonyms for devastate on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing.

to lay waste; render desolate: The invaders devastated the city.
to overwhelm.

Origin of devastate

1625–35; < Latin dēvastātus laid waste (past participle of dēvastāre), equivalent to dē- de- + vast(āre) to lay waste (akin to vastus empty) + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsdev·as·ta·tive, adjectivedev·as·ta·tor, nounun·dev·as·tat·ed, adjective

Synonym study

1. See ravage.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for devastated

Contemporary Examples

Their home probably will be devastated, too, but they received no demolition notice.
In Jerusalem Home Demolitions, the Biblical Justice of Revenge
Creede Newton
November 25, 2014
Of course, the South was much stronger than in the 1870s, not devastated by a war and extremely well represented in Congress.
How Rock and Roll Killed Jim Crow
Dennis McNally
October 26, 2014
Devastated and utterly embarrassed, I meekly raised my hand.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More
Gary Wright
September 29, 2014
And the town of Moore was no longer known just for the tornado that devastated it a year ago.
The Muslim Convert Behind America’s First Workplace Beheading
Michael Daly
September 27, 2014
The African American community has been devastated by HIV, especially in the South.
Dissed By Her Doctor for Wanting HIV Protection
Heather Boerner
September 6, 2014

Historical Examples

We went on with some difficulty, trying to find the road in these devastated plains.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
For property that had been devastated or destroyed a similar maximum of compensation was voted.
Freeland
Theodor Hertzka
The country was devastated by fire and to the last degree inhospitable.
The Long Labrador Trail
Dillon Wallace
I have no child, my house is destroyed, my fields are devastated.
The Flood
Emile Zola
What assurance could there be that the precious pearl-bed would not be devastated?
Adrift on the Pacific
Edward S. Ellis

British Dictionary definitions for devastated

devastate

verb (tr)

to lay waste or make desolate; ravage; destroy
to confound or overwhelm, as with grief or shock

Derived Formsdevastation, noundevastative, adjectivedevastator, noun

Word Origin

C17: from Latin dēvastāre, from de- + vastāre to ravage; related to vastus waste, empty

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for devastated

devastate

v.

1630s, perhaps a back-formation from devastation. Apparently not common until 19c.; earlier verb form devast is attested from 1530s, from Middle French devaster. Related: devastated; devastating.

devastate

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Synonym study

Related Words

Examples from the Web for devastated

Contemporary Examples

Their home probably will be devastated, too, but they received no demolition notice.

Of course, the South was much stronger than in the 1870s, not devastated by a war and extremely well represented in Congress.

Devastated and utterly embarrassed, I meekly raised my hand.

And the town of Moore was no longer known just for the tornado that devastated it a year ago.

The African American community has been devastated by HIV, especially in the South.

Historical Examples

We went on with some difficulty, trying to find the road in these devastated plains.

For property that had been devastated or destroyed a similar maximum of compensation was voted.

The country was devastated by fire and to the last degree inhospitable.

I have no child, my house is destroyed, my fields are devastated.

What assurance could there be that the precious pearl-bed would not be devastated?

devastate

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for devastated

devastate

v.

Origin of devastate