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
That community will be devastated for a long time to come.
—
Hollie Silverman
nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Park workers confirmed three bats in the park were infected with white-nose syndrome, a fungus that is not harmful to humans but can devastate bat populations.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 June 2025
Victim’s family, friends in shock In Miami’s Shenandoah neighborhood just off Coral Way, the sudden death of Loretta, a married telecommunications executive with two teenage children, has devastated his family and dazed neighbors.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
She was devastated at first, but her schoolwork improved dramatically and her mindset eventually lifted, too.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Hollie Silverman
nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Park workers confirmed three bats in the park were infected with white-nose syndrome, a fungus that is not harmful to humans but can devastate bat populations.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 June 2025
Victim’s family, friends in shock In Miami’s Shenandoah neighborhood just off Coral Way, the sudden death of Loretta, a married telecommunications executive with two teenage children, has devastated his family and dazed neighbors.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
She was devastated at first, but her schoolwork improved dramatically and her mindset eventually lifted, too.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
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In Please Don't Feed the Children, Destry's camera follows a group of teenagers on the run in a dystopian United States ravaged by disease.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
25 June 2025
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Newcomer Alfie Williams breathes new life into the pulsating horror as Spike, a 12-year-old boy who resides on a small British island with a community of survivors, 28 years after the rage virus first ravaged the United Kingdom.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
22 June 2025
Verb
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In September 2024, the same month as the pager attack and assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Israel launched the most extensive campaign of airstrikes in the air force’s history hitherto, destroying much of Hezbollah’s strategic surface-to-surface missile stockpiles.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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As rumors swirl and her life collapses, Eva faces a choice: protect herself or expose Amir’s secret and risk destroying him.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
30 June 2025
Verb
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This can overwhelm analysts and lead to alert fatigue.—
Bhupendra Singh,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Among other things, a lack of staff hampered the State Emergency Response Team’s ability to maintain a 24-hour operation that was supposed to support local and county officials who were overwhelmed by the massive storm.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
27 June 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2025
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And just like that, Donald Trump ruined something else.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
Verb
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There can be ways to overcome the objections of the people who are concerned that new technology will make their jobs obsolete.—
Edward Segal,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Hegseth touted Caine's explanation as proof the bombs fully demolished Fordow.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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The more than 115-year-old Advocate Trinity building on the Southeast Side of Chicago, on 93rd Street, will continue to serve patients until the new hospital is ready, at which point it will be demolished.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Verb
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In the meantime, Aimee Gutierrez, Saint’s owner, and her family have been shattered by the loss and the deaths of the other dogs.—
Sean Emery,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
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These moves have shattered walls that have long kept data within the agencies that collect it.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
25 June 2025
Verb
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The facility had been subject to sabotage and subterfuge by Israel for many years even before these attacks–including a computer virus that wrecked the centrifuges over a decade ago.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
26 June 2025
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All three spent Wednesday warning that Mamdani would wreck New York.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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