devastated

[ dev-uh-stey-tid ]

adjective

1. laid waste; made desolate:

   After the earthquake there were concerns about asbestos in the rubble of many of the devastated houses.

2. overwhelmed or shocked, especially by profound loss, disappointment, humiliation, etc.:

   I’m grateful that no one I knew personally died in the hurricane, but my heart goes out to all those devastated families.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of devastate ( def ).

Other Words From

• un·dev·as·tat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of devastated¹

devastate ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

I am feeling sad and shocked, ultimately devastated by this defeat.

From Salon

Several other regions in Spain remain on alert as the new weather front is expected to bring torrential rain and low temperatures just weeks after the country was devastated by flash floods that have so far killed more than 220 people.

From BBC

The person said it was unclear if their mother would survive and that their father, who witnessed the attack, was devastated.

From BBC

A children's charity says it is devastated after losing “absolutely everything” in a large fire.

From BBC

A Scottish man whose identity was stolen to front a fake Premier League football ticket website says he is devastated that scammed fans believe he is responsible.

From BBC

Related Words

• broken
• demolished
• lost
• ravaged
• ruined
• shattered
• smashed
• wrecked