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Devastated Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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devastated

[หˆdษ›vษ™steษชtษชd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

extremely shocked and upset

Synonyms

brokenhearted, distraught, shocked, upset.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
devastated

Use this when someone is experiencing deep emotional pain or overwhelming loss.

  • She was devastated by the news of her father's death
shocked

Best used for a sudden and intense emotional reaction to unexpected news or events. Can be both positive and negative, but often negative.

  • He was shocked when he found out he had won the lottery
upset

This is a general term for mild to moderate emotional distress or unhappiness, without the deep intensity of some of the other words listed.

  • She was upset after failing her exam
distraught

Apply this when someone is extremely worried, agitated, or mentally upset, often visibly so.

  • After hearing about the accident, she was too distraught to speak
brokenhearted

This word is ideal for romantic or personal emotional distress, usually involving love or deep personal connections.

  • He was brokenhearted after his girlfriend left him

Examples of usage

  • She was devastated by the news of her friend's death.
  • The family was devastated after losing their home in a fire.
Context #2 | Verb

action

destroy or ruin (something)

Synonyms

demolish, destroy, ruin, wreck.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
devastated

Used to describe extreme emotional sadness or shock.

  • She was devastated after hearing the news of her friend's accident.
  • He felt devastated when he lost his job.
destroy

Used when completely ruining something, whether it's a physical object, concept, or emotional state.

  • The hurricane destroyed many homes.
  • His harsh words destroyed her confidence.
ruin

Used when something is damaged or spoiled to the point of being useless or without value; has a slightly negative emotional context.

  • The rain ruined our picnic.
  • The scandal ruined his reputation.
wreck

Used when severely damaging or destroying something, often associated with accidents or violence; can imply a chaotic or abrupt event.

  • The ship was wrecked in the storm.
  • The car was a total wreck after the collision.
demolish

Used when physically tearing down buildings or structures.

  • The old factory was demolished to make way for new apartments.
  • They will demolish the house next week.

Examples of usage

  • The earthquake devastated the city, leaving thousands homeless.
  • The hurricane devastated the crops, causing widespread hunger.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'devastated'

The word 'devastated' originated from the Latin word 'devastatus', which means 'lay waste'. Over time, the meaning of the word has evolved to convey a sense of extreme shock, upset, or destruction.

See also: devastating, devastatingly, devastation, devastative, devastator.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,372, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.