devastate
verb (used with object)
to lay waste; render desolate.
devastates
-
present tense formof devastate (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
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.
This ash devastates farmland across at least eight states.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
It’s a burden that not only devastates families financially but also takes a toll on their health.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 23, 2026
In the Sierra Nevada, private lands used for logging are more likely to experience high-severity fire that devastates forest ecosystems compared to public lands like National Forests.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2025
It is recognised as a problem which devastates farm businesses, spreading from badgers to cattle, and from cow to cow.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2025
The news could never be ignored: An earthquake devastates Haiti.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
