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
While many athletes would be devastated, Ellis saw it as an opportunity to pursue his original dream: a career in entertainment.
—
Eric Andersson, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Western North Carolina was devastated by extreme flooding after Hurricane Helene in late September, raising concerns about election access.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024
The wrong conditions could devastate the largest ever seaborne invasion, while any delay risks German intelligence catching on.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
DeMar DeRozan was devastated, especially after being told he would not be traded, and the five-time Grammy winner welcomed him into his home to talk for hours.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devastate 
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Eric Andersson, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Western North Carolina was devastated by extreme flooding after Hurricane Helene in late September, raising concerns about election access.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024
The wrong conditions could devastate the largest ever seaborne invasion, while any delay risks German intelligence catching on.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
DeMar DeRozan was devastated, especially after being told he would not be traded, and the five-time Grammy winner welcomed him into his home to talk for hours.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 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 22 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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