devastation

[ dev-uh-stey-shuh n ]

/ ˌdɛv əˈsteɪ ʃən /

the act of devastating; destruction.

devastated state; desolation.

Origin of devastation

1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin dēvastātiōn- (stem of dēvastātiō), equivalent to Latin dēvastāt(us) (see devastate) + -iōn- -ion

An article in Nature three weeks ago brought up the devastation that could result if contact tracing were to be stopped.

Doctors Without Borders Hits Ebola Breaking Point |Abby Haglage, Kent Sepkowitz |October 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
One message was clear: Capitalism is causing environmental ruin and must be stopped to save the planet from devastation.

Occupy Climate Change! Hundreds Blame Capitalism at Flood Wall Street Rally |Jacob Siegel |September 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Although he still considers himself a Zionist, Kawalek believes Israel should be held accountable for the devastation in Gaza.

A Gay Jewish Zionist American Doctor in Gaza and What He Saw |Itay Hod |September 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Not so long ago, Neil Young had come up to the tar sands and compared the devastation to Hiroshima.

Our Trip to The Climate War's Ground Zero |Darren Aronofsky |September 19, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

His tireless courage inspired us to rise above the devastation.

The Resilient City: New York After 9/11 |John Avlon |September 11, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
One high tower in the centre of the village alone exhibited no appearance of devastation.

Waverley, Or 'Tis Sixty Years Hence, Complete |Sir Walter Scott
The devastation, destruction and misery the Huns have left is a disgraceful crime to civilization and is pitiful.

Flying for France |James R. McConnell
Forests that only exhibited the slow decay of time or the devastation produced by warring elements.

Letters written during a short residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark |Mary Wollstonecraft
It never recovered the devastation committed by Cambyses, who was exasperated by its resistance.

The Anabasis of Alexander |Arrian of Nicomedia
What are the pains of Hell but ignorance, idleness, bodily lust, and the devastation of the things of the spirit?

Ideas of Good and Evil |William Butler Yeats