devastation

[ dev-uh-stey-shuhn ]

/ ˌdɛv əˈsteɪ ʃən /

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noun

the act of devastating; destruction.

devastated state; desolation.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of devastation

1425–75; late Middle English <Late Latin dēvastātiōn- (stem of dēvastātiō), equivalent to Latin dēvastāt(us) (see devastate) + -iōn--ion

Words nearby devastation

Devanagari, de Varona, devastate, devastated, devastating, devastation, de Vega, devein, devel., develop, developable surface

How to use devastation in a sentence

We saw some serious devastation back in May and June and we are trying to avoid that, but we are also trying to avoid Georgetown looking like a ghost town.
D.C. police and businesses prepare for possible Election Day unrest|Peter Hermann, Emily Davies|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
Amid the devastation, inspectors visited twice during the first week of April to look for lapses that allowed the virus to spread.
As pandemic raged and thousands died, government regulators cleared most nursing homes of infection-control violations|Debbie Cenziper, Joel Jacobs, Shawn Mulcahy|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
The high school senior who lives in San Sebastián, Puerto Rico, said the devastation brought to the island by Hurricane Maria in 2017 made her more aware of politics and more interested in how government works.
As the election draws near, civics and government teachers walk a fine line|Joe Heim|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
For Democrats, the witness was a physician from Michigan who spoke about the potential devastation if the Supreme Court, with Barrett seated, voted to gut the Affordable Care Act.
Barrett confirmation hearing day four: ‘We have the votes,’ McConnell says of nomination|Seung Min Kim, Donna Cassata, Karoun Demirjian|October 15, 2020|Washington Post

Apodaca represents an entire swath of people who are facing uneven recoveries and the potential of personal devastation from the pandemic recession.
A TikTok star’s ‘Dreams’ come true|Ellen McGirt|October 7, 2020|Fortune
An article in Nature three weeks ago brought up the devastation that could result if contact tracing were to be stopped.
Doctors Without Borders Hits Ebola Breaking Point|Abby Haglage, Kent Sepkowitz|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One message was clear: Capitalism is causing environmental ruin and must be stopped to save the planet from devastation.
Occupy Climate Change! Hundreds Blame Capitalism at Flood Wall Street Rally|Jacob Siegel|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Although he still considers himself a Zionist, Kawalek believes Israel should be held accountable for the devastation in Gaza.
A Gay Jewish Zionist American Doctor in Gaza and What He Saw|Itay Hod|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Centuries of development does not compare to the recent devastation in Alberta.
Our Trip to The Climate War's Ground Zero|Darren Aronofsky|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not so long ago, Neil Young had come up to the tar sands and compared the devastation to Hiroshima.
Our Trip to The Climate War's Ground Zero|Darren Aronofsky|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Together with these misfortunes, a visitation of myriads of locusts (vide p. 341) and drought completed the devastation.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
It performed its work of devastation as effectively as though it had come forth at its proper season.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
But these were trifles compared with the devastation committed at Bristol, when its recorder.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
This devastation, slow and silent as the tomb, was even more terrible than the brilliant ravages of a conflagration.
The Seven Cardinal Sins: Envy and Indolence|Eugne Sue
It lasted for more than three hours, and created great devastation.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan

devastation

Origin of devastation

Words nearby devastation

Words related to devastation

How to use devastation in a sentence