devastated

Devastated is an adjective that also serves as the past participle of the verb devastate. It describes extreme destruction or overwhelming emotional distress. When something is devastated, it has been completely ruined or severely damaged, often by a disaster such as a flood, earthquake, fire, or war. It can also describe a person who is deeply distressed or shocked, for example after bad news or the loss of a loved one. The term conveys a sense of thorough ruin and profound impact.

In physical contexts, a devastated area features widespread structural damage, debris, and disrupted infrastructure. In emotional contexts, someone who is devastated may experience intense grief, disbelief, or despair, sometimes accompanied by numbness or an inability to process events.

Devastate, from Latin devastare meaning “to lay waste,” combines de- meaning “thoroughly” with vastare meaning “to lay waste.” The noun form devastation denotes the state or result of devastation. The adjective devastating describes something highly destructive or shocking, and is often used to describe events or news rather than people.

Usage notes: devastated is typically used to denote a strong reaction or outcome, signaling scale or emotional weight. It is more intense than terms like harmed or affected and should be reserved for significant damage or distress.

Examples: The hurricane left the town devastated. She was devastated by the news of the accident. The report described a devastated landscape after the wildfire.