dev·as·tate 
/ˈdɛvəˌsteɪt/ verb
dev·as·tates; dev·as·tat·ed; dev·as·tat·ing /ˈdɛvəˌsteɪt/ verb [+ obj] 1 : to destroy much or most of (something) : to cause great damage or harm to (something)
▪ The flood devastated the town. ▪ The disease has devastated the area's oak tree population. ▪ The hurricane left the island completely devastated. ▪ The town was devastated [=ruined] when the factory closed. 2 : to cause (someone) to feel extreme emotional pain — usually used as (be) devastated ▪ She was devastated by the breakup of her marriage.
▪ The flood devastated the town. ▪ The disease has devastated the area's oak tree population. ▪ The hurricane left the island completely devastated. ▪ The town was devastated [=ruined] when the factory closed.
— dev·as·ta·tion /ˌdɛvəˈsteɪʃən/ noun [noncount]
▪ economic devastation ▪ the devastation of war [=the damage and destruction caused by war]
/ˌdɛvəˈsteɪʃən/ noun [noncount] ▪ economic devastation ▪ the devastation of war [=the damage and destruction caused by war]
