devastate (B1)

verb

Pronunciation: /ˈdevəsteɪt/

Definition

To cause extreme emotional or physical destruction or shock.

Examples

• The news of his father's death devastated her.

• The drought devastated the crops, leading to widespread famine.

• The scandal threatened to devastate the company's reputation.

How to Use devastate

devastate by (prepositional phrase)

To be destroyed or severely affected by something. — "The town was devastated by the floods."

devastate someone (collocation)

To cause extreme emotional distress to a person. — "The loss of her child devastated her."

Synonyms of devastate

Words with a similar meaning to devastate:

• damage
• destroy
• ruin
• overwhelm

Antonyms of devastate

Words with the opposite meaning to devastate:

• build
• restore
• heal

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