Devastation Meaning and Definition
Devastation
Pronunciation
/dɪvæs.tiˈteɪ.ʃən/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A complete or extensive destruction or devastation, often resulting in harm, damage, or loss to people, places, or things.
Examples
- The earthquake caused widespread devastation throughout the city.
- The flood left a trail of devastation in its wake.
Synonyms
- Ruin
- Wreckage
Antonyms
- Rebuilding
- Restoration
Additional Information
Devastation can be caused by natural disasters, wars, or human actions. It can result in physical destruction, emotional trauma, and economic loss. In some cases, devastation can also lead to long-term effects, such as environmental degradation or social instability.
Understanding the causes and effects of devastation is crucial for developing effective strategies for prevention, mitigation, and recovery.
Etymology
The word “devastation” comes from the Old French “destuer”, meaning “to lay waste”, which is derived from the Latin “destructio”, meaning “destruction”.
Usage Notes
Devastation is often used to describe the consequences of natural disasters, wars, or catastrophic events. It can also be used to describe the destruction of property, infrastructure, or the environment.
Be careful not to confuse devastation with destruction, which implies a more general or gradual process of destruction, whereas devastation implies a more sudden and extreme event.
Cultural References
Devastation has been featured prominently in various forms of media, including films, literature, and music. For example, the novel “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” by Leo Tolstoy explores the theme of devastation in the context of war.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Leave no stone unturned” and “Scorched earth policy” are idiomatic expressions that can convey the idea of devastation.
Related Words or Phrases
Related words include “destruction”, “devastating”, and “ravaged”. Phrases that convey similar meanings include “widespread destruction” and “total devastation”.
Collocations
Devastation often collocates with words such as “widespread”, “total”, “complete”, “extensive”, and “horrific”.
Frequency of Use
Devastation is a relatively rare word, but it is commonly used in specialized contexts such as scientific, historical, or literary writing.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings include “devestation”, “devestating”, and “devistruction”.