devastation

[ dev-uh-stey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of devastating; devastating; destruction.
2. devastated state; desolation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of devastation¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin dēvastātiōn- (stem of dēvastātiō ), equivalent to Latin dēvastāt ( us ) ( devastate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Two weeks after flash floods caused devastation in eastern Spain, several areas of the nation are on alert again.

From BBC

By August he was back in jail having left another trail of financial and emotional devastation.

From BBC

Two weeks after flash floods caused devastation in eastern Spain, several areas of the country are on alert, with a new weather front expected to bring torrential rain and low temperatures.

From BBC

In the weeks and months that followed the Woolsey fire, there was much debate about whether anything could have been done to minimize the extent of the devastation.

From Los Angeles Times

With the danger passed, people returned to survey the devastation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• confusion
• desolation
• havoc
• ravages
• ruin