laying waste

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A 20-year-old chess prodigy is laying waste to the world’s top grandmasters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

In the 20th Century, Germany used its powerful armies to wage some of the most destructive wars in human history, laying waste to much of the continent and killing millions.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

When they are not gathering by the tens of millions and laying waste to whole landscapes, these insects lead meek, solitary lives in arid zones.

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2024

The ban, combined with an existing prohibition on fireworks in unincorporated areas, is meant to discourage would-be pyromaniacs from accidentally laying waste to their neighbors’ houses or setting off wildfires that blacken hundreds of acres.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 3, 2023

Neither did he see a colossal earth goddess laying waste to the world.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan