devastate

Everyday

1. To destroy or badly damage a place, so little is left. tree →
2. To make someone feel terribly shocked and sad. tree →
3. (informal) devastating can also mean extremely strong or impressive, as in «a devastating goal». tree →

In the lessons

In geography and history it describes storms, floods, fires and wars that ruin towns and farms; in stories it shows a character's deep grief; phrases: «devastated by the news», «a devastating fire», «left devastated».

Examples

• The hurricane devastated the little island town. tree →
• Bushfires devastated huge areas of forest in Australia. tree →
• Mia was devastated when her old dog died. tree →
• The flood devastated the farmers' crops. tree →
• The news of the factory closing devastated the whole village. tree →
• The team was devastated after losing in the last minute. tree →
• She hit a devastating shot into the top corner. tree →
• The war devastated the city, but people rebuilt it. tree →
• He first sent him to kill the Chimaera, a monster which was at this time devastating the country. tree →

Note

Regular verb. «Devastated» (feeling) and «devastating» (causing it): I was devastated; the news was devastating. Noun: devastation (uncountable). Stronger than «upset» or «damaged»; do not use it for small things unless joking.