French word

dévaster

Pronunciation

IPA/devaste/

Meaning

  • verbdevastate

Example

Cette nouvelle a dévasté Sophie.

This news devastated Sophie.

Illustration for dévaster (devastate)

More examples

Un virus a dévasté la région.

A virus devastated the region.

Core concept

A once-stable world is reduced to desolation, either in the outside scene or in the affected person's mind.

Common phrases

  • dévaster quelqu'un

    devastate someone

  • dévaster un pays

    devastate a country

Similar words

bouleverser: To deeply upset someone, disrupting their emotions or everyday life.
choquer: To cause intense surprise or discomfort through an unexpected event.
ruiner: To ruin a plan, situation, or financial foundation beyond repair.
détruire: To destroy an object or building so that it can no longer be used.

Definition in French

Ruiner complètement quelque chose; figurativement, rendre quelqu'un profondément abattu.

Word origin

Dévaster is a learned French continuation of Latin devastare, from de- combined with vastare, 'to lay waste'.

Usage tips

  • The figurative sense is stronger than ordinary sadness, so dévaster quelqu'un describes profound emotional shock rather than simple disappointment.

Other meanings

  • ravageverb
  • destroyverb

Opposites

Related words

  • dévastationdevastationnoun
  • dévastédevastatedadjective

Word lists with this word