devastate
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source: The Wind Rises GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY
/icons/point.icon RAVAGE, DEVASTATE, WASTE, SACK, PILLAGE, DESPOIL mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying.
RAVAGE implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.
e.g. a hurricane ravaged the coast
DEVASTATE implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.
e.g. an earthquake devastated the city
WASTE may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.
e.g. years of drought had wasted the area
SACK implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.
e.g. barbarians sacked ancient Rome
PILLAGE implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by SACK.
e.g. settlements pillaged by Vikings
DESPOIL applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.
e.g. the Nazis despoiled the art museums
verb with object
destroy or ruin (something):
〈地域･国土などが〉(完全に)破壊される, 荒廃させられる
e.g. the city was devastated by a huge earthquake
e.g. bad weather has devastated the tourist industry.
cause (someone) severe and overwhelming shock or grief:
〈人が〉(悲しみなどで)打ちのめされる, 圧倒［挫折］させられる.
e.g. she was devastated by the loss of Damian.
DERIVATIVES
devastator |ˈdevəˌstādər| noun
ORIGIN
mid 17th century: from Latin devastat- ‘laid waste’, from the verb devastare, from de- ‘thoroughly’ + vastare ‘lay waste’.