devastating

/ˈde-və-ˌstā-tiŋ/

adjective

  1. causing great damage or harm

  2. causing extreme emotional pain

  3. extremely effective or powerful

a devastating flood/earthquake

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.