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
The war in Gaza has devastated the territory since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
—
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
While the conflict devastated numerous supply lines worldwide, Britain had secured its potash lifeline.
— Made By History, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
Considering Canada now spends 80% of its defense procurement funds in the United States, a transition to other sources or a decision to build its defense manufacturing capability would devastate the American defense industry.
—Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2025
Most Canadians recognize that an all-out trade war would devastate their economy.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
While the conflict devastated numerous supply lines worldwide, Britain had secured its potash lifeline.
— Made By History, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
Considering Canada now spends 80% of its defense procurement funds in the United States, a transition to other sources or a decision to build its defense manufacturing capability would devastate the American defense industry.
—Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 15 Apr. 2025
Most Canadians recognize that an all-out trade war would devastate their economy.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
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People stay at home and shop online, ravaging the streetscape of storefronts.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
18 Apr. 2025
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Earlier this year, Osment was among the thousands of Angelenos who lost their homes in the devastating wildfires that ravaged parts of Southern California in January.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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More than half a dozen tornadoes have been confirmed, including one in Marshall County, Oklahoma, that left two homes completely destroyed and damaged about 20 others.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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The war has destroyed vast parts of Gaza and most of its food production capabilities.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Don't let the stress overwhelm the joy of the occasion—remember, some nerves are good!—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Vogue,
20 Apr. 2025
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The fashion lover feels grateful to now have the freedom to explore her passions and chase her dreams — something that’s often out of reach when you're tied to a 9-5 job or overwhelmed by bills.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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There is nothing that can ruin trying to sleep through a redeye like the sunrise hitting your face.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trailing 0-2, the Heat now faces a series deficit that not many NBA teams have overcome.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
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Not without its controversy, like life, the show has tried to demonstrate that family can overcome anything with love, laughter, and conversation.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Purdy put his reporter’s hat back on and dug up that the 38 S. Fifth St. house — which would have sat in the plaza just south of the city council chambers — was demolished after an arson fire damaged it beyond repair.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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In Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, residents said the Israeli military demolished more homes in the city, which has all come under Israeli control in the past days in what Israeli leaders said was an expansion of security zones in Gaza to put more pressure on Hamas to release remaining hostages.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Public trust has been shattered, and a change was needed so the system can begin to rebuild.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2025
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Tobias is shattered by the negative response, but Gabin’s aggression doesn’t do anything to pull Tobias together.—
Oliver Sava,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The cops also seized his cellphone and tore apart his home of two years, wrecking his recording setup in the process.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
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As many little heartbeats as possible, just running around, wrecking stuff in the house.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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