Environmental Destruction Terms

verb to strip something of its covering, possessions, or assets

• The deforestation of the area will denude the land of its natural beauty.
• If you keep cutting down trees, you'll denude the whole forest!
• I can't believe they denuded the park for that new shopping mall.
• Her harsh words seemed to denude him of all confidence.

verb to cause severe damage to something, rendering it unusable or unrepairable

• The hurricane destroyed many homes in the coastal town.
• The fire totally destroyed the old barn.
• That party last night destroyed me, I'm so tired.
• The gossip destroyed her reputation in the small town.

noun the action of destroying something

• The natural disaster caused widespread devastation to the region.
• The devastation left behind by the hurricane was heartbreaking.
• The party was a total disaster, it was pure devastation.
• His betrayal was a form of emotional devastation for her.

noun the destructive action of causing great damage or destruction

verb to cause severe and extensive damage

• The hurricane ravaged the coastal town, causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure.
• The wildfire ravaged through the forest, leaving nothing but charred trees in its wake.
• The party last night completely ravaged my living room, it's a total mess.
• The scandal ravaged his reputation, leaving him with few allies in the political arena.

noun a situation in which something is completely destroyed or eliminated

verb to completely destroy or eliminate something

• The government is working to wipe out corruption in the highest levels of power.
• I need to wipe out all the junk food in my pantry and start eating healthier.
• That new video game is so addicting, I can't stop playing until I wipe out all the levels.
• The tsunami wiped out entire villages along the coast, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.

verb to cause severe damage or destruction to something

adjective damaged beyond repair or in a state of ruin

• The ship was wrecked during the storm and had to be salvaged.
• I heard you wrecked your car last night, are you okay?
• He was so drunk, he totally wrecked the party.
• His heart was wrecked after the breakup.