ˌdɛsəˈleɪʃən ˌdɪsˈtɹʌkʃən ˌdɛ.vəˈsteɪ.ʃən the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists plundering with excessive damage and destruction an event that results in total destruction the feeling of being confounded or overwhelmed her departure left him in utter devastation the state of being decayed or destroyed