devastation
AmericanOther Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of devastation
1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin dēvastātiōn- (stem of dēvastātiō ), equivalent to Latin dēvastāt ( us ) ( see devastate) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
When there's devastation, there's terrible destruction. You can see the devastation from a violent hurricane and feel devastation over all the people that were injured. When a natural disaster causes widespread death and destruction, that's devastation. This is a strong word that suggests serious damage has occurred, leaving almost nothing left. One knocked over car isn't devastation, but a whole town being wiped out is. People can also feel devastation — it's a kind of extreme sadness or state of feeling emotionally wrecked.
Vocabulary lists containing devastation
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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.
Pupil Joseph, 15, described feeling "anger" and "devastation" and said he was "very anxious about what's going to happen".
From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — Scores of emergency responders gathered outside the collapsed shopping center, eager for a respite from the days of devastation and carnage they had witnessed in quake-ravaged Venezuela.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 5, 2026
She recalled the devastation of having to inform her child of how the law would affect her.
From Salon • Jul. 5, 2026
What 250 years means: 250 years of America is joy, devastation, pain, suffering, growing pains, heartache, injustices, tears, happiness, growth, homesteading lifestyle, culture.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026
Planes were hired to drop grass seed across a section of devastation.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
