Estrago

Estrago, primarily a Spanish and Portuguese word, signifies significant ruin, devastation, or havoc caused by a destructive force or event. It goes beyond simple damage, implying a widespread and often irreparable level of loss, disarray, and suffering. The source can vary widely from natural disasters to violent conflicts or reckless actions. The term evokes a sense of profound tragedy and the lasting impact on individuals, communities, or environments. Often it portrays a scene with irreversible loss or extensive obliteration.

Estrago meaning with examples

• The hurricane caused widespread estrago along the coast, leaving homes destroyed and communities shattered. Rescue teams struggled to navigate the path of estrago left behind, where essential infrastructure like roads and power grids were either damaged beyond repair or completely washed away by the storm surge. The emotional and physical estrago was almost unbearable for those who had survived the disaster.
• The prolonged war inflicted immense estrago on the country, decimating its population and economy. Cities were reduced to rubble, and the social fabric of society was torn apart. The lingering estrago from years of conflict, including landmines, unexploded ordinance and psychological trauma, remained a constant danger to generations to come and slowed the recovery.
• The careless use of pesticides led to an estrago of local ecosystems and, eventually, the loss of several species. Entire forests were stripped barren, and rivers were poisoned, leaving a wasteland. Farmers watched the gradual estrago upon their harvest due to the ecological damage, leading to increased food scarcity for the growing population, as the pests and the crops were destroyed.
• The financial crisis caused considerable estrago, leading to the bankruptcy of many businesses and mass unemployment. Savings were wiped out, and the housing market collapsed, creating immense hardship for countless families. Banks also underwent estrago due to unpaid debt and loss of property. It took years for the global economy to recover, and the impact of estrago was still felt by the general public long after the crisis.