C1 noun Neutral

devestation

/ˌdev.əˈsteɪ.ʃən/

Devastation refers to widespread and severe destruction or damage to a place or object. It can also describe the state of extreme emotional shock, grief, or overwhelm felt by a person.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The earthquake caused widespread devastation throughout the coastal region.

The massive earthquake resulted in extensive destruction across the seaside area.

2

The humanitarian report highlighted the utter devastation of the city's infrastructure following the conflict.

The official report emphasized the complete ruin of the city's systems after the war.

3

He was in total devastation after his dog passed away suddenly.

He felt completely heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief when his dog died unexpectedly.

Word Family

Noun
devastation
Verb
devastate
Adverb
devastatingly
Adjective
devastating
Related
devastator
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Memory Tip

Think of the word 'vast'. Devastation is when a 'vast' area is ruined or turned into 'waste'.

Quick Quiz

The flood waters receded, revealing the complete _______ of the valley's farmland.

Correct!

The correct answer is: devastation

Examples

1

The earthquake caused widespread devastation throughout the coastal region.

everyday

The massive earthquake resulted in extensive destruction across the seaside area.

2

The humanitarian report highlighted the utter devastation of the city's infrastructure following the conflict.

formal

The official report emphasized the complete ruin of the city's systems after the war.

3

He was in total devastation after his dog passed away suddenly.

informal

He felt completely heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief when his dog died unexpectedly.

4

Scholars argue that the environmental devastation of the 19th century was a precursor to modern climate issues.

academic

Academic researchers suggest that the large-scale ecological damage in the 1800s led to today's climate problems.

5

The sudden bankruptcy of the primary supplier caused financial devastation for the small firm.

business

The unexpected collapse of the main supplier led to a total financial ruin for the minor company.

Word Family

Noun
devastation
Verb
devastate
Adverb
devastatingly
Adjective
devastating
Related
devastator

Common Collocations

widespread devastation destruction occurring over a very large area
emotional devastation the state of being completely overwhelmed by psychological pain
utter devastation complete and total destruction
cause devastation to result in great damage or ruin
witness devastation to see the results of severe destruction firsthand

Common Phrases

leave a trail of devastation

to cause a continuous path of destruction as something moves through an area

a scene of devastation

a place where everything has been destroyed or ruined

point of devastation

the specific moment or location where ruin occurs

Often Confused With

devestation vs desolation

Desolation emphasizes emptiness, loneliness, and lack of life, whereas devastation emphasizes the active act of destruction.

devestation vs detestation

Detestation means intense hatred or loathing toward someone or something, unrelated to physical ruin.

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Usage Notes

Use 'devastation' when you want to describe a level of damage that is near total or when describing profound grief. It is a much stronger word than 'damage' or 'unhappiness.'

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Common Mistakes

Learners often misspell the word as 'devestation' (with an 'e'). It should always be spelled with an 'a' in the second syllable: 'devastation'.

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Memory Tip

Think of the word 'vast'. Devastation is when a 'vast' area is ruined or turned into 'waste'.

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Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'devastatio', from the verb 'devastare', where 'de-' acts as an intensifier and 'vastare' means to lay waste or make empty.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable noun (though sometimes used with an indefinite article to describe a specific event) Often follows verbs like 'wreak' or 'cause' Commonly modified by adjectives like 'utter', 'complete', or 'widespread'
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Cultural Context

In modern English, this word is frequently used in news media to describe the impact of climate-related natural disasters or the consequences of war on civilian populations.

Quick Quiz

The flood waters receded, revealing the complete _______ of the valley's farmland.

Correct!

The correct answer is: devastation

Related Words

subcapure

C1

Relating to a secondary or subordinate stage of capturing data, images, or specimens within a larger primary process. It describes a nested acquisition mechanism used to record specific subsets of information under a broader set of parameters.

triunior

C1

A triunior is a specialized term used in certain organizational or tripartite structures to denote a third-tier junior member or an entry-level official within a specific hierarchy. It refers to an individual who occupies the lowest level of a three-part junior classification system, often found in niche administrative or academic contexts.

pretracttion

C1

To exert a forward-moving force or tension on a physical structure, usually as a preliminary step in a technical or medical process. It involves drawing a component toward the front or applying tension prior to a primary action to ensure proper alignment or stability.

microprivic

C1

To selectively remove or strip away minuscule, often essential, components from a larger structure or system. This verb describes a process of highly precise deprivation occurring at a microscopic or granular level.

extraprehendery

C1

Describing knowledge or insights that lie beyond the standard limits of human perception or intellectual grasp. It often refers to concepts that are highly abstract, metaphysical, or so complex that they require a specialized or transcendent way of thinking to be understood.

circumscendic

C1

Describing a movement or path that involves climbing or scaling around the perimeter of an object. It often refers to a circuitous upward trajectory used to bypass obstacles or cover the entirety of a vertical structure.

rematerine

C1

To re-incorporate or restore something to its original material or essential state, especially after it has been fragmented, digitized, or abstractly altered. It describes the process of making an abstract concept or a digital set of data tangible and physical once more.

explicine

C1

Describes information, structures, or concepts that are inherently self-explanatory and unfold their meaning clearly without the need for external interpretation. It refers to a state of being naturally transparent or methodically detailed in a way that precludes ambiguity.

comdurist

C1

Describing an attitude or strategy characterized by an unyielding, steadfast commitment to enduring challenges over a long period. It refers to the quality of being resolutely persistent despite significant hardship or delay in results.

dishospation

C1

Describing an attitude or environment that is significantly lacking in hospitality or friendliness toward guests. It denotes an actively unwelcoming, cold, or repellent reception in social, professional, or academic settings.

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