desolates

present tense third-person singular of desolate
as in destroys
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of totally desolated the city with aerial bombs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for desolates
Verb
  • Liposuction surgically removes fat cells, while cryolipolysis freezes and destroys them.
    Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025
  • But the loving couple’s equilibrium hits a major bump when a freak coastal storm destroys Theo’s new building before its inauguration and viral videos compound his humiliation.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Athens, Greece Athens glows beneath Mediterranean light, where marble ruins rise from its timeworn hillsides—from the world-famous Parthenon to the Temple of Hephaestus.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Egyptian officials shared one photo of the site, showing the mudbrick ruins of the settlement.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Deadly flooding devastates South Asia Almost 400 people have died in Pakistan after flash floods brought destruction throughout the country’s north.
    Semafor Staff, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Illness devastates the novel’s humble, endearing protagonist, who bravely crosses class boundaries in her enthralling search for peace.
    Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • That embryonic Xenomorph then shatters its container and leaps at Wendy, who pets it gently.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Trump's action shatters this precedent, inviting chaos.
    Dan Irvine, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Desolates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desolates. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on desolates

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!