devastate — to destroy something completely or cause severe damage
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to destroy something completely or cause severe damage
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdevəsteɪt/
Example Sentences
- My mom was devastated when she found out I used her expensive face cream as hair gel for a week.
- The wildfire devastated thousands of acres of forest land.
- He was devastated to learn that his favorite pizza place had closed permanently.
devastate
VERB[/ˈdevəsteɪt/]
to destroy something completely or cause severe damage
In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a lone survivor gazes in despair at the devastated ruins of a once-great city.
Devastate the state — twin tornadoes tear a home apart and leave a man in shock.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'devastare', meaning 'to lay waste' or 'to ravage'. The prefix 'de-' means 'completely' and 'vastare' comes from 'vastus' meaning 'empty' or 'waste'.
Breakdown
de- (completely) + vastare (to lay waste, from vastus meaning empty/waste) = devastate (to destroy completely)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My mom was devastated when she found out I used her expensive face cream as hair gel for a week.”
“The wildfire devastated thousands of acres of forest land.”
“He was devastated to learn that his favorite pizza place had closed permanently.”
“The pandemic devastated small businesses across the country.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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