devastate

[ dev-uh-steyt ]

/ ˈdɛv əˌsteɪt /

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See synonyms for: devastate / devastated / devastating 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, as with grief or dismay: We are devastated by this news and deeply saddened by the unexpected loss of our friend.Those rumors appeared to have devastated her.

OTHER WORDS FOR devastate

1 destroy, sack, despoil, raze, ruin, level.

See synonyms for devastate on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR devastate

1 create, erect, develop.

See antonyms for devastate on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of 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, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use devastate in a sentence

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
Margaret looked coolly enough at this devastator of hearts, and thought that her own cousin Carlos was far handsomer.
Three Margarets|Laura E. Richards
So Kaupepee resigned his kingship to his brother, and became a fighter, a devastator.
Myths & Legends of our New Possessions & Protectorate|Charles M. Skinner
But cunningly compounded poisons, charms, and incantations were all of no avail against this grizzly devastator.
Wild Animals I Have Known|Ernest Thompson Seton
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
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

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

devastate

OTHER WORDS FOR devastate

OPPOSITES FOR devastate

Origin of devastate

synonym study for devastate

OTHER WORDS FROM devastate

Words related to devastate

How to use devastate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for devastate

Derived forms of devastate

Word Origin for devastate