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
Aid groups say Sudan has been devastated by the conflict since 2023 with more than 8 million people forced from their homes, and millions facing extreme hunger, insecurity, and limited access to basic services.
—
Robert Birsel
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
The earthquake devastated neighboring Kunar province, razing three villages, Reuters reported, citing local authorities.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Rescuers are still trying to reach victims after an earthquake devastated parts of Afghanistan on Sunday.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
In 2016, the town was devastated by a 1,000-year-old flood, where homes and cars were destroyed and swept away, lives were lost, and people were displaced.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Robert Birsel
john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
The earthquake devastated neighboring Kunar province, razing three villages, Reuters reported, citing local authorities.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Rescuers are still trying to reach victims after an earthquake devastated parts of Afghanistan on Sunday.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
In 2016, the town was devastated by a 1,000-year-old flood, where homes and cars were destroyed and swept away, lives were lost, and people were displaced.
—Jeryl Brunner, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
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That’s what happened to 64-year-old retired nurse Donna Niebauer when, over the course of one terrifying night, Hurricane Helene ravaged her peaceful mountain community of Burnsville, North Carolina and cut off power for more than two months.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Yes, the Lions were bounced from the Divisional Round of the playoffs, but to be fair, they were absolutely ravaged by injuries, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Acosta allowed it, and IMG destroyed them.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Later, Howard calls Matt and agrees to cut the sequence but also threatens to destroy him.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The delicate mention of woody flavors never overwhelms the agave, and the nose maintains that equity as well.—
Andy Vasoyan,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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And even before the storm made landfall, the levees protecting New Orleans began to fail, overwhelmed by heavy rain and massive storm surges.—
Reena Advani,
NPR,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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To avoid the busiest times, try to visit the wall and the main church ruins early in the morning or later in the afternoon when most tour groups have moved on.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Helene cost him less than 10 percent of that collection, thousands of seeds ruined when his freezers lost power and frost melted.—
Lila Hempel-Edgers,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Outperforming some of them on the pitch is one thing, but Newcastle cannot yet overcome the off-field strength of the ‘Big Six’.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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Part of the presentation focused on helping people overcome their fear of being ostracized for having plants seen as too wild.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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About 90% of the former Spring Hill Mall is gone and work demolishing the final anchor store set to begin in the next couple of weeks, officials said.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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If the city officially adds the structures to the dangerous buildings list, an inspector will issue orders to demolish them or repair them.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His staff acknowledged congratulatory comments on social media and posted photos of an encounter with someone whose car window was shattered after refusing to open it.—
Elliot Spagat,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Jorma Taccone, one part of the comedy trio The Lonely Island, was hospitalized after shattering his pelvis upon falling 20 feet off a ladder at his home.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jerry Jeudy makes far too much money to wreck possessions with two drops, one that killed a drive and another that resulted in a crushing interception.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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The sophomore, who is the youngest player ever voted captain under coach Jay Norvell, was a one-man wrecking crew against the Huskies with a game-high 13 tackles.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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