devastate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'devastate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'devastate' when referring to something that has been destroyed by a great force or a natural disaster. For example: The hurricane devastated the small coastal town.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the mining communities they managed to devastate between them all remain devastated.

The Guardian

It was a bitter dispute that would last for a year, devastate dozens of communities, create civil war in Britain and throw thousands of destinies off course.

The Guardian

Will the university continue to invest in fossil fuel companies whose ongoing activities devastate communities such as those in the Niger delta and Alberta, Canada?

The Guardian

Mr Hagel's predecessor, Leon Panetta, said the sequester would "virtually devastate" national security.

The Economist

At the time Fermi demonstrated the first controlled chain reaction, the uncontrolled ones that would devastate Hiroshima and Nagasaki were already being planned.

The Economist

A reluctant American consumer would devastate the ad industry.

The Economist

All a blogger really needs to devastate a company is a bit of information and plausibility, a complaint that catches the imagination and a knack for making others care about his gripe.Mike Kaltschnee's site, HackingNetflix.com, became a force to be reckoned with for Netflix, a video-rental outfit that delivers to people's homes.

The Economist

Doctors and medical providers had resisted as well, saying government-run care forced them to work at uneconomic rates and would devastate the quality of care at top-end institutions for those who could afford it.

The Economist

Salvoes of them might devastate Taiwan's military infrastructure so quickly that any war would be over before America could respond.Much has changed since 1995 and 1996, when China's weakness in the face of American power was put on stunning display.

The Economist

Indiana is one of the worst offenders, spewing out 4% of America's carbon emissions in 2007 though it is home to only 2% of its population.The fear is that a cap-and-trade bill may expand a promising new sector but devastate a struggling, larger one.

The Economist

Even for companies that are never charged, mere investigations or allegations can devastate sales.According to Gregory Gilligan, the American Chamber's chairman, "companies should not approach these things as a commercial issue".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devastate" to describe impact from natural disasters, conflicts, or events leading to significant loss or ruin. For emotional impacts, consider synonyms that convey emotional distress more accurately.

Common error

Avoid using "devastate" to describe situations that are merely disappointing or inconvenient. Overusing the word diminishes its impact when describing truly catastrophic events.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "devastate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being destroyed or severely damaged. Ludwig shows examples like "devastate dozens of communities" and "devastate Taiwan's military infrastructure".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Science

0.5%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devastate" is a transitive verb used to convey a strong sense of destruction or damage. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media. While it is important to ensure the context warrants such a strong term, "devastate" effectively communicates significant negative impact. Consider related phrases like "utterly ruin" or "lay waste to" for alternative expressions. Avoiding overuse in minor situations will preserve its impact for truly catastrophic events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely destroy

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction, focusing on the end result.

utterly ruin

Highlights the irreparable damage inflicted, emphasizing the state of being ruined.

lay waste to

Conveys a sense of widespread destruction across an area, similar to a scorched-earth policy.

leave in ruins

Focuses on the aftermath of the destruction, highlighting the resulting state of ruin and desolation.

wreak havoc on

Emphasizes the chaos and disorder caused by the destructive action.

cause widespread destruction

Highlights the extent and scale of the damage inflicted.

inflict heavy damage on

Focuses on the act of causing significant harm or damage to something.

demolish completely

Similar to "completely destroy", this emphasizes the total destruction and removal of something.

bring to its knees

Implies crippling or weakening something to the point of collapse or submission.

deal a crushing blow to

Highlights the impact of the destructive event, emphasizing the severity of the consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "devastate" in a sentence?

You can use "devastate" to describe something that has been severely damaged or destroyed. For example, "The hurricane "devastated" the coastal town".

What can I say instead of "devastate"?

You can use alternatives like "completely destroy", "utterly ruin", or "lay waste to" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "devastate" and "damage"?

"Devastate" implies a far greater level of destruction than "damage". While damage suggests impairment, "devastate" suggests near or total destruction.

Which is correct, "the news devastated her" or "the news saddened her"?

Both can be correct, but they convey different meanings. "The news "devastated" her" implies a profound and overwhelming emotional impact, while "the news saddened her" suggests a less intense emotional response.