Devastate (verb)

1. To cause severe damage or destruction to.
2. To cause great shock, distress, or grief to.
3. To ruin or spoil the appearance or condition of something.
4. To inflict severe damage or destruction on something.
5. To ruin or spoil the natural beauty of something.

Origin:

Late 16th century: from latin devastat- "laid waste", from the verb devastare, from de- "completely" + vastare "lay waste".

Examples:

1. The hurricane devastated the coast.
2. The news devastated her.
3. The fire devastated the building.
4. The war devastated the country.
5. The pollution devastated the environment.