German word

verheeren

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈheːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbdevastate

Example

Der Krieg verheert viele Dörfer in der Region.

The war devastates many villages in the region.

Illustration for verheeren (devastate)

More examples

Der Orkan verheerte große Teile der Insel.

The hurricane devastated large parts of the island.

Core concept

A once-inhabited region lies in ruins and can no longer support normal life after war, fire, or a natural disaster.

Common phrases

  • verheert das Land

    devastates the land

  • verheert Wohngebiete

    devastates residential areas

  • verheert Infrastruktur

    devastates infrastructure

Similar words

verwüsten: Lay waste to a broad area by burning or destroying its buildings and land.
zerstören: Destroy an object or building so it loses its original form or function.
vernichten: Destroy something completely so that nothing of it remains.
ruinieren: Ruin property or a plan so badly that recovery is no longer possible.

Definition in German

etwas (z. B. ein Gebiet oder Gebäude) durch Krieg, Feuer oder Naturgewalten so stark beschädigen oder verwüsten, dass normales Leben dort kaum oder gar nicht mehr möglich ist

Word origin

The verb goes back through Middle High German verheren to Old High German firheron and is historically related to Heer, meaning 'army'.

Usage tips

  • Verheeren is formal and large-scale, whereas zerstören or kaputt machen is more natural for ordinary damage.

Other meanings

  • destroyverb
  • annihilateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • verheerenddevastatingadjective
  • Verheerungdevastationnoun

Word lists with this word