ˈdevəˌstāt, usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin devastatus, past participle of devastare, from de from, away + vastare to lay waste, from vastus empty, waste — more at waste
1. : to lay waste : ravage
whole countries devastated by storm and cold
man has stripped the hills, devastated the valleys
2. : overpower , overcome , overwhelm
he was devastated by grief
her constant mischief devastated the classroom
Synonyms: see ravage