devastate
Translation
to devastate, to destroy, to overwhelm
Examples
The storm devastated the coastal town.
The storm devastated the coastal town.
She was devastated by the news of his death.
She was devastated by the news of his death.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to completely destroy (a place) The storm devastated the coastal town.
((sb.)) to make (sb.) feel very shocked and upset She was devastated by the news of his death.
Similar Words
Synonyms: destroy, ruin (physical); overwhelm, shatter (emotional)
Etymology
From Latin 'de-' (completely) + 'vastare' (to lay waste).
Memory Tips
Imagine making a 'vast' area empty. To 'de-vast-ate' is to completely ruin something.