The Greek erēmoō (G2049) means to make desolate, destroy, or lay waste. Jesus uses it in His warning about the 'abomination that causes desolation' (Matthew 24:15, quoting Daniel): the temple made desolate. Its most dramatic uses are in Revelation 17:16 and 18:17-19, where Babylon the Great is erēmoō — made desolate by God's judgment. 'In one hour your judgment has come'; 'in one hour she has been brought to ruin' (erēmoō). Divine judgment can reduce what appears permanent to utter desolation in an instant.
Erēmoō in Revelation 17-18 is the verb of apocalyptic justice. Babylon — the city-symbol of all human civilization organized against God — is brought to utter desolation. The merchants who traded in 'the bodies and souls of human beings' (Rev 18:13) mourn her. But heaven rejoices (Rev 19:1-3): 'He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.' The erēmoō of Babylon is not senseless destruction but the vindication of justice. What oppresses the image of God will be made desolate.