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🇮🇹Italian Source WordCode: IT

devastare

Pronunciation / Transliteration: /de.vaˈsta.re/

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Devastate/ˈdɛv.əˌsteɪt/
verbCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #4500 frequency
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🇮🇹 Example Sentence in Italian:

"Un incendio boschivo ha iniziato a devastare la valle."

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As verb
  1. 1

    To destroy or ruin something completely, leaving it desolate.

    "The powerful earthquake managed to devastate the entire coastal region."
  2. 2

    To overwhelm someone with shock, grief, or emotional distress.

    "She was utterly devastated by the unexpected news of her loss."
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Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum

Synonyms (3)
Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin verb 'devastare', formed from the prefix 'de-' (completely) and 'vastare' (to lay waste, from 'vastus' meaning empty or desolate). It entered the English language in the early 17th century, maintaining its core sense of causing severe and widespread destruction.

Quick Vocabulary Retention Check

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