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Definition of devastation

devastation

/ˌdɛv.əˈsteɪ.ʃən/
dev · as · ta · tion
Adverb:devastatingly
•
Plural:devastations
•
Adjective:devastating
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devastation Lexical Profile

devastation Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Great and widespread destruction or damage.

Example

"Rescue teams surveyed the widespread devastation left behind by the coastal hurricane."

2

A state of overwhelming shock, grief, or emotional distress.

Example

"She felt a profound sense of devastation after learning that the historic community center had burned down."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for devastation

• Nearby Words

devastated
devastating
devastatingly
devastation
devastator
devein
develop

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 17th century from Late Latin devastationem ('a laying waste'), a noun of action from the verb devastare, formed from de- ('completely') and vastare ('to lay waste'), from vastus ('empty, desolate').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Devastation. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/devastation
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