Devastated
/ˈdɛvəsteɪtɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsOverwhelmed with grief; extremely upset or shocked.
/ˈdɛvəsteɪtɪd/
Feeling extreme emotional distress
He was devastated when he lost the championship game.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone's favorite toy breaking into a million pieces. Devastated is like feeling that sad and broken inside.
👶 For kids: Feeling super, super sad like something terrible happened.
More Examples
The family was devastated by the earthquake that destroyed their home.
She felt devastated after her pet died.
How It's Used
"She was devastated by the news of her friend's illness."
"The patient felt devastated after the loss of their job."
Having been severely damaged or destroyed; ruined.
/ˈdɛvəsteɪtɪd/
Destroyed or ruined
The forest was devastated by the wildfire.
💡 Simply: Like when a storm completely wrecks a playground. Devastated means something's been totally destroyed.
👶 For kids: When something is broken and messy after a big storm or accident.
More Examples
The war devastated the infrastructure of the country.
After the flood, the entire city was devastated.
How It's Used
"The town was devastated by the hurricane."
"The battleground was left devastated after the intense fighting."
From Latin *devastatus*, past participle of *devastare* ('to lay waste, destroy'), from *de-* ('completely') + *vastare* ('to lay waste').
The word has been used since the late 16th century, initially to describe physical destruction, and later to describe emotional distress.
Memory tip
Think of a vast wasteland after a disaster – it's a feeling of being completely broken.