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, -ate¹

synonym study for devastate

1. See ravage.

OTHER WORDS FROM devastate

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for devastate

There’s no “stopping by” or “bumping into” or “just because” in a world devastated by a deadly virus.
You have until Nov. 22 to visit these six Smithsonian museums. Here’s what to expect.|Kelsey Ables|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
When Covid-19 hit the US, many experts warned that America’s colleges and universities could be devastated.
Why for-profit college enrollment has increased during Covid-19|Molly Ott|November 18, 2020|Quartz
While Haskins was described as being devastated by the demotion, he began coming to the facility early and doing extra work in the weight room.
Alex Smith is the NFL’s best story, but Washington’s next few weeks are about Dwayne Haskins|Les Carpenter|November 11, 2020|Washington Post
The rapid surge of coronavirus infections in the cooler months, while devastating for the country, means the trial is rushing toward completion faster than company executives anticipated.
Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine is more than 90 percent effective in first analysis, company reports|Carolyn Y. Johnson|November 9, 2020|Washington Post

I can give 10 compliments, but the one criticism devastates the morale.
How to Succeed by Being Authentic (Hint: Carefully) (Ep. 438)|Stephen J. Dubner|November 5, 2020|Freakonomics
Again he discovered that the devastator was a microscopic destroyer.
Brave Men and Women|O.E. Fuller
Devastation had fallen upon the devastator, the fortress was completely demolished and no dwelling remained.
The Monarchs of the Main, Volume II (of 3)|Walter Thornbury
It has from time immemorial been known to man in all the countries it inhabits as the devastator of his flocks of sheep.
The Origin of the Werewolf Superstition|Caroline Taylor Stewart
The latter, who knew a good cigar from smoking many bad ones, threw away the devastator and lighted Richard's.
The President|Alfred Henry Lewis
The destroyer of heaven, the devastator of the earth,—such is my majesty.
The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria|Morris Jastrow

British Dictionary definitions for devastate

devastate

/ (ˈdɛvəˌsteɪt) /

verb (tr)

to lay waste or make desolate; ravage; destroy

to confound or overwhelm, as with grief or shock

Derived forms of devastate

devastation, noundevastative, adjectivedevastator, noun

Word Origin for devastate

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

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devastate

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

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Origin of devastate

synonym study for devastate

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Example sentences from the Web for devastate

British Dictionary definitions for devastate

verb (tr)

Derived forms of devastate

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MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

devastate

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

SYNONYMS FOR devastate

ANTONYMS FOR devastate

QUIZZES

THIS PSAT VOCABULARY QUIZ IS PERFECT PRACTICE FOR THE REAL TEST

Origin of devastate

synonym study for devastate

OTHER WORDS FROM devastate

Words related to devastate

Example sentences from the Web for devastate

British Dictionary definitions for devastate

verb (tr)

Derived forms of devastate

Word Origin for devastate