devastate

/ˈde-və-ˌstāt/

Latin devastatus, past participle of devastare, from de- + vastare to lay waste

verb

  1. to bring to ruin or desolation by violent action

  2. to reduce to chaos, disorder, or helplessness : overwhelm

a country devastated by war

ravage devastate waste sack pillage despoil mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying. ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction. devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.