verwüsten
Translation
to devastate, to ravage, to lay waste
Examples
Der Sturm hat die ganze Stadt verwüstet.
The storm devastated the whole city.
Die Kinder haben das Zimmer völlig verwüstet.
The children completely ravaged the room.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to devastate (sth.) The hurricane devastated the coast.
Similar Words
zerstören (to destroy), vernichten (to annihilate); Antonyms: aufbauen (to build up), wiederherstellen (to restore)
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (indicating a negative change) and 'wüst' (desolate, barren). It means 'to make desolate'.
Memory Tips
Think of the prefix 'ver-' turning something into a 'Wüste' (desert).