devastate
verb
dev·as·tate
ˈde-və-ˌstāt 
devastated; devastating
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.
Examples of devastate in a Sentence
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
The Durbin-Marshall legislation attempts to force down credit card processing fees paid by retailers via government mandates that would devastate the credit card rewards programs many consumers utilize.
—
John Berlau, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
The continuation of the war, meanwhile, is devastating Ukraine.
—Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
Their arrival was like pouring gasoline on a smoldering fire—igniting a brutal fifteen-year civil war that devastated the country.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Jackson said she is still devastated over the loss of her youngest son.
—Kelly Davis, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devastate 
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John Berlau, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
The continuation of the war, meanwhile, is devastating Ukraine.
—Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
Their arrival was like pouring gasoline on a smoldering fire—igniting a brutal fifteen-year civil war that devastated the country.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Jackson said she is still devastated over the loss of her youngest son.
—Kelly Davis, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devastate
Articles Related to devastate
Dictionary Entries Near devastate
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devastate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
devastate
verb
dev·as·tate
ˈdev-ə-ˌstāt
devastated; devastating
1
: to reduce to ruin : lay waste
2
: overwhelm sense 2, overpower
devastated by grief
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