verwüsten
to devastate
To completely destroy a place through violence or disorder, or to put it into a state of chaos.
EXAMPLE
Die Einbrecher haben die gesamte Wohnung verwüstet.
The burglars devastated the entire apartment.
verwüsten
to devastate
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb is derived from the adjective 'wüst' (desolate or chaotic). The prefix 'ver-' intensifies this and turns it into an action: to put something into a devastated state.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sturm war der ganze Garten verwüstet.
After the storm, the whole garden was devastated.
Inseparable verb
'Verwüsten' (to devastate) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' always stays at the beginning of the verb, including in the past participle ('verwüstet') and in subordinate clauses.
EXAMPLE
Die Vandalen haben den Park verwüstet.
The vandals devastated the park.
Typical objects
The verb 'verwüsten' (to devastate) is typically used with places as accusative objects. Common examples are: to devastate an apartment, a room, a city, a country, or a landscape.
EXAMPLE
Die Wildschweine haben in einer Nacht den ganzen Acker verwüstet.
The wild boars devastated the entire field in one night.
Use in the passive
This verb is very often used in the passive to describe the state of a place after destruction. The focus is then on the result, not on the perpetrator.
EXAMPLE
Das Hotelzimmer wurde komplett verwüstet.
The hotel room was completely devastated.
Compare with
verwüsten vs zerstören
to destroy
Both words are suitable when a place is severely damaged by violence. Zerstören refers to destruction in general, while verwüsten additionally emphasizes the place's extensive, chaotic condition. Use verwüsten when not just individual things are damaged, but the entire place is severely and disorderly damaged.
verwüsten
Der Sturm verwüstete den ganzen Stadtteil am Stadtrand.
The storm devastated the entire neighborhood on the outskirts of the city.
zerstören
Der Sturm zerstörte mehrere Häuser am Stadtrand.
The storm destroyed several houses on the outskirts of the city.
In real life
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