devastation — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The act of devastating, or the state of being devastated; a laying waste.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Perhaps as startling as the sheer toll was the devastation to some of the state’s well-known locales. Boardwalks along the beach in Seaside Heights, Belmar and other towns on the Jersey Shore were blown away. Amusement parks, arcades and restaurants all but vanished. Bridges to barrier islands buckled, preventing residents from even inspecting the damage to their property.

2. Waste or misapplication of the assets of a deceased person by an executor or administrator; devastavit.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   devastavit

Noun

1. the state of being decayed or destroyed

   Synonyms

   desolation

   Broader terms

   deteriorationimpairment

2. the feeling of being confounded or overwhelmed

   Broader terms

   feeling

   Examples

   her departure left him in utter devastation

3. an event that results in total destruction

   Synonyms

   desolation

   Broader terms

   ruinruination

4. plundering with excessive damage and destruction

   Synonyms

   ravaging

   Broader terms

   plunderingpillagepillaging

5. the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists

   Synonyms

   destruction

   Broader terms

   terminationendingconclusion