devastate

1 of 2

verb

dev·​as·​tate ˈde-və-ˌstāt How to pronounce devastate (audio)
devastated; devastating
Synonyms of devastate

transitive verb

1
: to bring to ruin or desolation by violent action
a country devastated by war
The typhoon devastated the island.
2
: to reduce to chaos, disorder, or helplessness : overwhelm
devastated by grief
Her wisecrack devastated the class.
devastation
ˌde-və-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce devastate (audio)
noun
devastative
ˈde-və-ˌstā-tiv How to pronounce devastate (audio)
adjective
devastator
ˈde-və-ˌstā-tər How to pronounce devastate (audio)
noun

devastator

2 of 2

noun

dev·​as·​ta·​tor -tə(r) How to pronounce devastator (audio)
plural -s
: one that devastates

Synonyms of devastate

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for devastate

ravage, devastate, waste, sack, pillage, despoil mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying.

ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.

settlements pillaged by Vikings

despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

Examples of devastate in a Sentence

Verb The flood devastated the town. The disease has devastated the area's oak tree population. The hurricane left the island completely devastated.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Losing the mill would devastate the half-million residents for whom the Gary area still feels like a company town. — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 Earlier that day, Contreras had broken down in tears while talking about the deadly earthquakes that devastated his native Venezuela. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 Matt Rempe, who will surely be devastated about losing his linemate and best friend on the team, has dealt with his own inconsistencies and injury issues, but it’s been clear the organization prefers him, as well. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 28 June 2026 The project has sparked outrage because of the location’s pristine nature and unique habitat that would be irreversibly devastated, according to environmentalists. — Zana Cimili, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for devastate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin devastatus, past participle of devastare, from de- + vastare to lay waste — more at waste

Noun

Italian & Late Latin; Italian devastatore, from Late Latin devastator, from Latin devastatus + -or

First Known Use

Verb

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of devastate was in 1638

Rhymes for devastate

See All Rhymes for devastate

Browse Nearby Words

devast
devastate
devastated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devastate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

devastate

verb
dev·​as·​tate ˈdev-ə-ˌstāt How to pronounce devastate (audio)
devastated; devastating
1
: to reduce to ruin : lay waste
2
: overwhelm sense 2, overpower
devastated by grief
devastatingly
-ˌstāt-iŋ-lē How to pronounce devastate (audio)
adverb
devastation
ˌdev-ə-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce devastate (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on devastate

Nglish: Translation of devastate for Spanish Speakers

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