devastate

[ dev-uh-steyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing.

1. to lay waste; render desolate:

   The invaders devastated the city.

   Synonyms: level, ruin, raze, despoil, sack, destroy

   Antonyms: develop, erect, create

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

/ ˈdɛvəˌsteɪt /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• ˈdevasˌtator, noun
• ˌdevasˈtation, noun
• ˈdevasˌtative, adjective

Other Words From

• dev·as·ta·tive adjective
• dev·as·ta·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devastate¹

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; de-, waste ( def ), -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of devastate¹

C17: from Latin dēvastāre, from de- + vastāre to ravage; related to vastus waste, empty

Synonym Study

See ravage.

Example Sentences

Apart from the humanitarian toll, mass deportations could devastate the Mexican economy: Each year, immigrants in the United States ship some $60 billion back to relatives and others in Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s promised mass deportation of undocumented immigrants alone would devastate California’s economy — and the national and global economies as a result — if implemented, Newsom said, with “impacts from valley to valley, Silicon Valley to Central Valley.”

From Los Angeles Times

Trump will also devastate the American economy through mass deportations of millions of “illegal aliens.”

From Salon

The US says it acknowledges Israeli concerns about UNRWA, but that restrictions on it would “devastate” the humanitarian effort in Gaza and the education and welfare of tens of thousands of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

From BBC

And he blasted Garvey for backing Trump, saying Trump’s plan is for mass deportations that will devastate the country and immigrant communities.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ravage
• raze
• ruin
• wreck