Devastate: meaning, definitions and examples
💔
devastate
[ ˈdevəˌsteɪt ]
in a natural disaster
To devastate means to destroy or ruin something completely. When a natural disaster like a hurricane or earthquake hits an area, it can devastate homes, buildings, and landscapes.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The hurricane devastated the coastal town, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
- The earthquake devastated the entire region, causing widespread devastation and loss.
emotionally
To devastate can also refer to causing severe emotional pain or shock. It implies a deep and lasting impact on a person's emotional well-being.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The news of her father's death devastated her.
- The betrayal by her best friend devastated her emotionally.
Translations
Translations of the word "devastate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 devastar
🇮🇳 विनाश करना
🇩🇪 verwüsten
🇮🇩 menghancurkan
🇺🇦 спустошувати
🇵🇱 dewastować
🇯🇵 荒廃させる (こうはいさせる)
🇫🇷 dévaster
🇪🇸 devastar
🇹🇷 harap etmek
🇰🇷 황폐하게 하다
🇸🇦 يدمر
🇨🇿 zpustošit
🇸🇰 spustošiť
🇨🇳 摧毁 (cuīhuǐ)
🇸🇮 opustošiti
🇮🇸 eyðileggja
🇰🇿 қирату
🇬🇪 განადგურება
🇦🇿 məhv etmək
🇲🇽 devastar
Word origin
The word 'devastate' originated from the Latin word 'devastare' which means 'lay waste'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-17th century. Over the years, its usage has evolved to encompass both physical and emotional destruction.