devastate

/ˈdevəsteɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdevəsteɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-və-ˌstāt/ (ame, mw)

devastate — verb

  • devastatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • devastateshe / she / it
  • devastatedpast simple
  • devastating-ing form

1. to damage or ruin a place, building, or area so severely that almost nothing is

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to damage or ruin a place, building, or area so severely that almost nothing is left in good condition

例句

The earthquake devastated the old town, leaving only rubble and dust behind.

collocation: devastate + [place noun] for physical destruction

Wildfires devastated large areas of forest across northern Portugal last summer.

同義詞
  • destroy

    more general in scope; devastate emphasizes total ruin

  • ruin

    less violent; can apply to plans and hopes as well as physical objects

  • wreck

    suggests violent damage, often to vehicles or structures; less formal

  • demolish

    specifically of buildings or structures, often deliberately

反義詞
  • build

    creating instead of destroying

  • restore

    bringing something damaged back to good condition

文法句型

devastate + noun phrase

用法筆記

Subject is usually a natural disaster, war, or large-scale destructive event. Object is typically a geographical area, settlement, or piece of infrastructure.

常見錯誤

❌The child devastated his toy truck.
✅The child broke his toy truck.
💡devastate is too strong for everyday breaking; it implies large-scale or violent destruction.
❌The heavy rain devastated my umbrella.
✅The heavy rain ruined my umbrella.
💡devastate is not used for small, personal objects.

2. to cause someone to feel overwhelming sadness, shock, or emotional distress — fo

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to cause someone to feel overwhelming sadness, shock, or emotional distress — for example, when hearing deeply upsetting news or suffering a serious loss

例句

Kemi was devastated when her grandmother passed away last spring.

passive: be devastated + when-clause for emotional reaction

The sudden news of the factory closure devastated the entire community.

同義詞
  • overwhelm

    broader; can be positive or negative; devastate is always negative

  • shatter

    more dramatic, suggests emotional breaking into pieces

  • shock

    focuses on surprise; devastate includes prolonged grief

反義詞

文法句型

be devastated + by + noun phrase

be devastated + to-infinitive

be devastated + that-clause

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive voice (be devastated by / be devastated to hear). The cause is always something serious — grief, rejection, disaster — not mild irritation or inconvenience.

常見錯誤

❌She was devastated by the cold weather.
✅She was devastated by the death of her pet.
💡devastate requires a seriously distressing cause, not a mild discomfort.
❌I am devastated that I forgot my keys.
✅I am annoyed that I forgot my keys.
💡forgetting keys is inconvenient, not devastating.