as in disastrous
causing or tending to cause destruction
a devastating blow to our morale
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ravaging
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
the city was devastated, first by the earthquake and then by fires
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in destroying
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
the explosion devastated an entire city block
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in overwhelming
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
we were devastated by the awful news of his death
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastating
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 7 June 2025
What ensues is an often hilarious and sometimes devastating exploration of what really makes a family.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 June 2025
The fallout is devastating, and Moore and Sweeney’s performances are absolutely heartbreaking.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 5 June 2025
This was somehow more devastating for Minnesota than last year’s Game 5 debacle against Dallas.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
But the fallout from the deaths of his mother and brother — and his father’s March 2023 double murder conviction — was devastating for Buster.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 7 June 2025
What ensues is an often hilarious and sometimes devastating exploration of what really makes a family.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 June 2025
The fallout is devastating, and Moore and Sweeney’s performances are absolutely heartbreaking.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 5 June 2025
This was somehow more devastating for Minnesota than last year’s Game 5 debacle against Dallas.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
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The Giants didn’t have a disastrous road trip, winning two of their three series, but taking just two out of three against rebuilding teams won’t be enough to catch the Dodgers, and getting swept by contending teams will leave them outside of the wild-card chase.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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Following a disastrous accident, Cadence's life changes forever, disrupting the harmony builtbetween her, her family, and her inner circle.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Online records show that Lamb was charged with homicide, kidnap-false imprisonment, evidence-destroying and procure for prostitute.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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But if enacted, some of the ideas proposed also risk destroying a nascent private sector and worsening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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That’s overwhelming even for the most experienced investor.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
31 Mar. 2025
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An adventurous mix of fabrics brings warmth to the primary suite, without overwhelming the space.—
Kristen Flanagan,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The reasoning was twofold: to prevent widespread panic among the American public and to avoid informing the Germans just how destructive their campaign was.—
Asia London Palomba,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 June 2025
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Signs might include pacing, whining, excessive barking, destructive acts, accidents in the house and excessive salivation, drooling or panting.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Since March 14, severe weather has left a trail of destruction, toppling trees, demolishing homes, and igniting wildfires, the Associated Press reported.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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Education advocates and Democrats have condemned the move, and actually demolishing the agency would require an act of Congress.—
The Hill Staff,
The Hill,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While people who have had measles gain immunity, there can be risks and deadly consequences.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
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The Los Angeles Police Department charged him with assault with a deadly weapon the next day after the rapper allegedly entered the wrong home while looking for his girlfriend and swung a hatchet at two people.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Verb
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This prequel flashes back to a previous Christmas in Los Angeles, when their unintentional destruction of a Santa Claus parade balloon put the city on edge, wrecking the gang's plans for a massive Yuletide bank robbery.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 Dec. 2024
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The vocalist’s sole concerns related to the natural environment, the animal kingdom and humankind’s responsibility for wrecking our only home.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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