The term 'lay waste to' means to cause destruction or RUIN. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as by ruining, destroying, razing, ravaging, trashing, ashtraying, despoiling, and demolishing. Each of these words is a synonym for the term 'lay waste to' and can be used to describe the same action. For example, 'RUIN' is a four-letter word that means to DESTROY or damage something so badly that it cannot be repaired or restored. 'DESTROY' is a seven-letter word that means to tear down or DEMOLISH something completely. 'RAZE' is a four-letter word that means to level or flatten something. 'RAVAGE' is a six-letter word that means to cause great destruction or damage. 'TRASH' is a five-letter word that means to DESTROY or damage something beyond repair. 'Ashtray' is a seven-letter word that means to reduce something to ashes. 'DESPOIL' is a seven-letter word that means to strip something of its possessions or resources. Finally, 'DEMOLISH' is an eight-letter word that means to DESTROY something completely.