devastate
8 synonyms for devastate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To destroy something on a large scale.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use devastate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
devastate a region
devastate a community
utterly devastated
Etymology
From Latin devastare ("to lay waste"), from de- + vastare ("to destroy"), related to "vast".
Full origin of devastate →Frequently asked questions
What does “devastate” mean?
The word “devastate” means to destroy something on a large scale. In plain terms, to wreck something completely, or to emotionally crush someone.
How do you pronounce “devastate”?
“Devastate” is pronounced DEHV-uh-stayt (/ˈdɛv.ə.steɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “devastate” in a sentence?
Here is “devastate” used in a sentence: “The hurricane devastated coastal towns along the whole region.”
What is another word for “devastate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “devastate” include decimate, destroy, raze and ruin.
What part of speech is “devastate”?
“Devastate” is a verb.
Where does the word “devastate” come from?
The word “devastate” comes from Latin. From Latin devastare ("to lay waste"), from de- + vastare ("to destroy"), related to "vast".
How many meanings does “devastate” have?
“Devastate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to destroy something on a large scale.
