1
as in to ravage
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
the city was devastated, first by the earthquake and then by fires
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
the explosion devastated an entire city block
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
we were devastated by the awful news of his death
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of devastate
The Eaton fire destroyed more than 6,000 homes and devastated the community of Altadena.
—
David Wilson, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
The next step is likely to be the reopening of Gaza’s border with Egypt, enabling Palestinians to move in both directions and more aid to enter the territory devastated by two years of war.
—Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
As the Reagan Revolution matured, taxes were slashed and regulations rolled back; in turn, the social programs and city services upon which ordinary Americans depended were devastated.
—Heather Ann Thompson, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
When 30-year-old Youssif Naim went missing earlier this month, leading to a community-wide search that ended when his body was found near Hines Park, like many others, Yasmeen Hamed was devastated.
—Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
David Wilson, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
The next step is likely to be the reopening of Gaza’s border with Egypt, enabling Palestinians to move in both directions and more aid to enter the territory devastated by two years of war.
—Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
As the Reagan Revolution matured, taxes were slashed and regulations rolled back; in turn, the social programs and city services upon which ordinary Americans depended were devastated.
—Heather Ann Thompson, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
When 30-year-old Youssif Naim went missing earlier this month, leading to a community-wide search that ended when his body was found near Hines Park, like many others, Yasmeen Hamed was devastated.
—Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
-
Her consistent binge sessions are ravaging her spirit.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The Texans were ravaged by injuries on the interior defensive line this season, and many of those players will be free agents.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But the Red Sox destroyed and ended their relationship with their only true power hitter and proven winner for a player who, though an undeniably excellent addition, was here for 117 total games.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In the Pacific Palisades and nearby Malibu, flames burned for 31 days, scorching 37 square miles and destroying more than 6,000 structures, most of them homes.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Visitors would stand in awe as their senses were overwhelmed by colorful images and animations displayed in coordinated displays over multiple, large, flat-screen TVs.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
-
But for families with young kids, there is one cost that overwhelms almost everything else — child care.—
Liam Stanton,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And, from this week’s issue, Nicola Twilley’s reporting on another lingering effect of the wildfires—smoke taint that is ruining grapes and threatening California’s wine industry.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
-
This will either change your life or ruin you.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Global Compassion Coalition says that the first step to overcoming helplessness is to practice acceptance instead of resistance, which is a hard pill to take at the moment.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
-
One night after the Warriors snapped Minnesota's 103-game streak of scoring at least 100 points — the third-longest in NBA history — the Timberwolves overcame a cold start from the floor and 23 turnovers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On Thursday morning, crews were nearly finished demolishing the adjacent structures, one of which was damaged by a fire in March 2024.—
Thomas Gounley,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
-
What’s certain is that the 50-year-old Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel near the Country Club Plaza will soon be demolished.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The sequence of Enoch among the heavenly hosts, violent, shattering with Blakeian geometry and color.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Family describes unimaginable grief In a statement, Grace Brito's mother, Tracy Brito, described a family shattered by the loss of their daughter.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Italians fought and lost to Robert Moses’s wrecking whims; Puerto Ricans who could fled to Jersey for the privilege of a backyard.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The hits wrecked the vehicle and deployed at least one of the airbags, according to the report.—
Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
