Destroy vs. Devastate — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Destroy and Devastate
ADVERTISEMENT
Compare with Definitions
Destroy
To break apart the structure of, render physically unusable, or cause to cease to exist as a distinguishable physical entity
The fire destroyed the library. The tumor was destroyed with a laser.
Devastate
To lay waste; destroy.
Destroy
To put an end to; eliminate
“In crowded populations, poverty destroys the possibility of cleanliness” (George Bernard Shaw).
Devastate
To overwhelm; confound; stun
Was devastated by the rude remark.
Destroy
To render useless or ruin
Felt that an overemphasis on theory had destroyed the study of literature.
ADVERTISEMENT
Devastate
To ruin many or all things over a large area, such as most or all buildings of a city, or cities of a region, or trees of a forest.
Destroy
To put to death; kill
Destroy a rabid dog.
Devastate
To destroy a whole collection of related ideas, beliefs, and strongly held opinions.
Destroy
To subdue or defeat completely; crush
The rebel forces were destroyed in battle.
Devastate
To break beyond recovery or repair so that the only options are abandonment or the clearing away of useless remains (if any) and starting over.
Destroy
To cause emotional trauma to; devastate
The divorce destroyed him.
Devastate
To greatly demoralize, to cause to suffer intense grief or dismay
Destroy
To be destructive; cause destruction
“Too much money destroys as surely as too little” (John Simon).
Devastate
To lay waste; to ravage; to desolate.
Whole countries . . . were devastated.
Destroy
(ambitransitive) To damage beyond use or repair.
The earthquake destroyed several apartment complexes.
Hooligans destroy unprovoked.
Devastate
Devastate or ravage;
The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion
Destroy
(transitive) To neutralize, undo a property or condition.
Smoking destroys the natural subtlety of the palate.
Devastate
Overwhelm or overpower;
He was devastated by his grief when his son died
Destroy
(transitive) To put down or euthanize.
Destroying a rabid dog is required by law.
Destroy
(transitive) To severely disrupt the well-being of (a person); ruin.
Her divorce destroyed her; she had a nervous breakdown and was severely depressed for more than a year.
Destroy
To defeat soundly.
Destroy
To remove data.
The memory leak happened because we forgot to destroy the temporary lists.
Destroy
To sing a song poorly.
Destroy
To exhaust duly and thus recreate or build up.
This exercise is going to destroy all parts of your shoulders.
Destroy
To penetrate sexually in an aggressive way.
She got destroyed by her lover on the carpet.
Destroy
To unbuild; to pull or tear down; to separate virulently into its constituent parts; to break up the structure and organic existence of; to demolish.
But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves.
Destroy
To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate; to consume.
I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation.
Destroy
To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of; to kill.
If him by force he can destroy, or, worse,By some false guile pervert.
Destroy
Do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of;
The fire destroyed the house
Destroy
Destroy completely; damage irreparably;
You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!
The tears ruined her make-up
Destroy
Defeat soundly;
The home team demolished the visitors
Destroy
As of animals;
The customs agents destroyed the dog that was found to be rabid
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Lamia vs. Vampire
Next Comparison
King vs. Regent
