verwoest

Verwoest is a Dutch adjective and the past participle of the verb verwoesten. It denotes that something has been destroyed or severely damaged, either physically, as in buildings or landscapes, or figuratively, such as morale or an economy. In use it can describe a state, as in de stad is verwoest, or function as a modifier before a noun, as in een verwoeste stad.

Etymology and related forms: verwoest is formed from the prefix ver- plus woesten, a verb meaning to lay waste or devastate. The root woesten is linked to words such as woest (desolate) and woestenij (wasteland). The sense of intensity in verwoesten is widely retained in related terms such as verwoestend (devastating) and verwoesting (devastation).

Usage and grammar: as a predicative adjective after a linking verb, verwoest is used without -e (de stad is verwoest). When used attributively before a noun, it is typically inflected as verwoeste (een verwoeste stad). The action sense is expressed with the verb verwoesten in the perfect: de brand heeft de stad verwoest.

See also and related terms: woesten, woest, verwoesting, verwoestend. The word frequently appears in contexts describing natural disasters, wars, or severe damage, as well as in metaphorical phrases referring to profound ruin or collapse.