devastate

/ˈdɛv.ə.steɪt/verb
Middle School
1

To ruin many or all things over a large area, such as most or all buildings of a city, or cities of a region, or trees of a forest.

2

To destroy a whole collection of related ideas, beliefs, and strongly held opinions.

3

To break beyond recovery or repair so that the only options are abandonment or the clearing away of useless remains (if any) and starting over.

4

To greatly demoralize, to cause to suffer intense grief or dismay

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Rhymes

Words that share the same ending sound pattern

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing