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
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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
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Recent Examples of devastate
These orchards were devastated in the 2003 Cedar Fire, but have since grown back to their full glory.
—
Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
Finn said she was devastated by the loss of her dear friend.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
When Tanya Eby was in sixth grade, her friends made a decision that stunned and devastated her.
—Laura Kwerel, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
The church house on McCandlish Road, a tranquil stretch about 60 miles northwest of Detroit, is also the latest place of worship to be devastated by unrelenting gun violence.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
Finn said she was devastated by the loss of her dear friend.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
When Tanya Eby was in sixth grade, her friends made a decision that stunned and devastated her.
—Laura Kwerel, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
The church house on McCandlish Road, a tranquil stretch about 60 miles northwest of Detroit, is also the latest place of worship to be devastated by unrelenting gun violence.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
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But Altadena was one of the neighborhoods most ravaged by the fire, and it's located miles away from Eaton Canyon.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
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The three-day, bracket-style tournament was held on Watauga Lake in East Tennessee, a region that was ravaged by Helene’s floodwaters along with western North Carolina and other parts of Appalachia.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a five-floor apartment building in the Solomyanskyi district was partially destroyed and caught fire.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
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Mexico built a hydroelectric dam, where these golden barrel cactuses live and in an instant their environment was destroyed and this species was almost wiped out.—
Eyder Peralta,
NPR,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But courts were overwhelmed by a flood of asylum seekers—a long-standing systemic shortage exacerbated by Biden’s inclusive policies.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
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And the first-half performance in Seville, as Postecoglou’s side overwhelmed a very strong Real Betis, was enough to prompt a huge sense of positivity.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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The jerky in particular has ruined me for all other beef jerky—so be forewarned the same might happen to you.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For Woodruff, The Green Kitchen was born out of her own healing journey after overcoming the Epstein-Barr virus and heavy metal toxicity through mindful eating and nutrient-dense foods.—
Wyles Daniel,
AZCentral.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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The six-week course, according to a syllabus, blends positive thinking with business and money strategies, offering advice on how to outwork the competition, manage ego, overcome failure and set goals — with homework assignments included.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Although a formal vote was not taken, there was consensus among the city council members on Monday night to demolish the old City Hall and to preserve the old fire station, Leawood spokesperson Beth Breitenstein said in an email.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Jokake Inn closed in the late 1970s and was demolished, except for its Pueblo revival-style belfry towers, which were incorporated into The Phoenician.—
Douglas C. Towne,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each episode explores how Taylor shattered Hollywood’s glass ceiling, built a billion-dollar business empire, and transformed celebrity activism through her pioneering work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
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Jeff sustained a gunshot wound that shattered his ankle, receiving two surgeries to remove the bullet and leather from his foot.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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America will be watching Monday night’s early game, perhaps in much the same way traffic can’t help but slow to watch two cars that have just wrecked.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
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The crash marks the second time a vehicle wrecked into a dentist’s office in the Kansas City metro this week.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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