What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
destroy
Example
The hurricane destroyed the entire town. [destroy: verb]
Example
The fire destroyed all of our belongings. [destroyed: past participle]
devastate
Example
The news of her father's death devastated her. [devastated: past tense]
Example
The earthquake devastated the city, leaving thousands homeless. [devastate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Destroy is more commonly used in everyday language, while devastate is more formal and less common.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between destroy and devastate?
Devastate is more formal than destroy, and it is often used in more serious or tragic contexts, such as natural disasters or personal tragedies.
