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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastate
Most residents of the eponymous regional capital now receive water only once every three days; Mariupol, the region's second-largest city, which was devastated in early days of the war, experiences even more sporadic deliveries.
—
Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Although the city was devastated after Hurricane Katrina hit the city in the fall of 2005, the store was mainly spared and managed to reopen less than two months later, and today, the business consists of seven neighboring buildings.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 Aug. 2025
The April 1 tsunami that year devastated the town of Hilo, Hawaii, on the Big Island.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 July 2025
Today, disaster seekers pack tours through New Orleans neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Katrina two decades ago, and visitors continue to flock to Galveston to see the legacy of a hurricane that killed thousands more than a century earlier.
—Lila Hempel-Edgers
july 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Although the city was devastated after Hurricane Katrina hit the city in the fall of 2005, the store was mainly spared and managed to reopen less than two months later, and today, the business consists of seven neighboring buildings.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 Aug. 2025
The April 1 tsunami that year devastated the town of Hilo, Hawaii, on the Big Island.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 July 2025
Today, disaster seekers pack tours through New Orleans neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Katrina two decades ago, and visitors continue to flock to Galveston to see the legacy of a hurricane that killed thousands more than a century earlier.
—Lila Hempel-Edgers
july 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
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The Detroit Lions were ravaged by injuries for most of last season, and the team limped into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed with several injuries on defense, including star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
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Moore and her family have been navigating a challenging time after their home was among those ravaged by the deadly L.A. fires last January.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But when our home was destroyed, our studio lost, and the war displaced us to Khanyounis’s tent camps, cooking became less about flavor and more about survival.—
Hamada Shaqoura,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
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There were 25 diesel buses that were destroyed per the grant regulations, Young said.—
Harley Walls,
Arkansas Online,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Don’t be afraid to refuse additional tasks that could overwhelm you.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
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Given that the implementation of all this may overwhelm hospital waiting rooms and beds, overcrowd jails and prisons and require public housing, several questions arise.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Her Altadena home and the surrounding community were ruined by the Eaton wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles in January.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
14 Aug. 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Padres are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to overcome the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League west.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The narrative that Apple is behind in AI has been looming over the company all year – and some analysts see it as a more challenging issue to overcome than tariffs.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After partially collapsing on Sunday, one of the two Eutaw Street buildings condemned by the city’s housing department was being demolished Monday evening, as transportation officials advised that street closures likely will continue through Tuesday’s commute.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Aug. 2025
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And its new chair, Rep. Mike Flood, wants to demolish that assumption for good.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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What is there to say when our souls have been shattered day after day, week after week, year after year?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
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But true evil transcends death…As Gwen begins to receive calls in her dreams from the black phone and experience disturbing visions, her determination to solve the mystery will lead her and Finn to a snowed-in winter camp and a shattering discovery about the Grabber and their own family’s history.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The chief said the suspect wrecked the vehicle before taking a Volkswagen from a car dealership.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Houses and sections of a port have been wrecked or swept out to sea.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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