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View synonyms for

devastate

[ dev-uh-steyt ]

verb (used with object)

devastated, devastating.
  1. to lay waste; render desolate:

    The invaders devastated the city.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,

    Antonyms: , ,

  2. to overwhelm, as with grief or dismay: Those rumors appeared to have devastated her.

    We are devastated by this news and deeply saddened by the unexpected loss of our friend.

    Those rumors appeared to have devastated her.



devastate

/ ˈɛəˌٱɪ /

verb

  1. to lay waste or make desolate; ravage; destroy
  2. to confound or overwhelm, as with grief or shock
“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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Derived Forms

  • ˈ𱹲ˌٲٴǰ, noun
  • ˌ𱹲ˈٲپDz, noun
  • ˈ𱹲ˌٲپ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ··ٲ·پ adjective
  • ··ٲ·ٴǰ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of devastate1

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin ŧٳܲ “laid waste” (past participle of ŧ ), equivalent to ŧ- + () “to lay waste” (akin to vastus “empty”) + -ٳܲ; de-, waste ( def ), -ate 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of devastate1

C17: from Latin ŧ, from de- + to ravage; related to vastus waste, empty
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Synonym Study

See ravage.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“When the Los Angeles fires devastated millions earlier this year, AmeriCorps members showed up to distribute supplies and support families — until the Trump administration ended the program and sent them home,” Bonta’s office said.

From

Edison has been under scrutiny since Jan. 7, when videos captured the devastating Eaton wildfire igniting under one of its transmission towers.

From

And when she does, the American people will be the real victims, and democracy will take another devastating hit.

From

"It was devastating because it all happened in an instant," he said.

From

The attack was one of the deadliest in recent years, devastating the lives of many families and sparking widespread anger in India.

From

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