devastating etymology

Etymology

The word "devastating" comes from the Latin word "devastare," which means "to lay waste" or "to destroy." It is derived from the Latin prefix "de-" (meaning "away") and the verb "vastare" (meaning "to lay waste").

Meaning and Origin

"Devastating" refers to something that causes great destruction or harm. It can be used to describe natural disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, as well as man-made events, such as wars or terrorist attacks.

The word first appeared in English in the 14th century and was originally used to describe the destruction caused by military campaigns. Over time, it came to be used more broadly to refer to any event or situation that caused widespread damage or loss.

Examples

• The earthquake was devastating, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
• The wildfires were devastating, burning thousands of acres of forest and destroying homes.
• The war was devastating, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction.

Synonyms

• Destructive
• Ruinous
• Catastrophic
• Disastrous
• Desolating

devastating relate terms

• devastate

  Etymology Latin devastatus laid waste devastated De prefix meaning off

• devastation

  Etymology From Old French devastation from Late Latin devastatio from the verb devast

• devastating

  Etymology The word devastating comes from the Latin word devastare which means to l

• cyclone

  Etymology The word cyclone derives from the Greek term kyklōn which means to spin

• bombshell

  Etymology The word bombshell has its roots in the historical use of hollow artillery s

• scourge

  Etymology and Origin The word scourge comes from the Old French word escorgier mean

• overwhelm

  Etymology From Middle English overhwhelmen from Old English oferhwelman from Proto Ge

• overtake

  Etymology Middle English overtaken from Old English ofer tācan to catch up with ov

• sweat

  Etymology The word sweat comes from the Old English word swætan which means to per

• ruin

  Etymology The word ruin comes from the Latin word ruina meaning falling down coll

• overcome

  Etymology Over from the Old English ofer meaning above or upon Come from the Ol

• communion

  Etymology The word communion comes from the Latin word communio which means sharin