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
Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a dramatic surge in its Venezuelan population, driven by a mass exodus from a country devastated by a humanitarian crisis under Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian rule.
—
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Although it’s been months since Hurricane Helene devastated many North Carolina mountain towns, residents and local businesses are still struggling to get back on their feet in a region that relies heavily on tourism.
—Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
Rebels survey Sanaa’s devastated airport The Israeli attack on Tuesday that targeted Sanaa International Airport devastated the airfield.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Meanwhile, Prince Harry just lost his a legal appeal for his security detailing in the U.K. and the decision devastated him.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Although it’s been months since Hurricane Helene devastated many North Carolina mountain towns, residents and local businesses are still struggling to get back on their feet in a region that relies heavily on tourism.
—Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
Rebels survey Sanaa’s devastated airport The Israeli attack on Tuesday that targeted Sanaa International Airport devastated the airfield.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Meanwhile, Prince Harry just lost his a legal appeal for his security detailing in the U.K. and the decision devastated him.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
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Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that ravages bone, leaving distinctive holes in its wake.—
David Armstrong,
CNN Money,
10 May 2025
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Last year, the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene included ravaging a Baxter manufacturing plant in Marion, North Carolina, that produces 60 percent of the country's supply of IV solutions.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2025
Verb
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An embarrassing, humbling, shocking Game 5 defeat showed that. All the same problems, the ones that destroyed Leaf team after Leaf team and ultimately ended Sheldon Keefe’s time as head coach, are emerging again at the worst possible time.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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At least 144 structures were destroyed and parts of Highway 44 were shut down, said St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Authorities said rushing water in a nearby creek overwhelmed the area.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Whatever the case, Indiana’s full-court pressure, physicality on the perimeter and timely shooting overwhelmed the Cavs at times and were enough to overcome early and late deficits at other points throughout the series.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2025
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Sonos is very, very sorry for ruining your speaker system.—
Boone Ashworth,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
Verb
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During a stretch in which the Twins are outscoring opponents 68-29, the team is receiving contributions from just about everyone on the roster while concurrently overcoming the mounting injuries.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
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Yet amid the devastation, a few glimmers of hope remain—Palestine’s U-20 national women’s team recently won the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship, overcoming Jordan 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the final following a 1-1 draw.—
Samindra Kunti,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Verb
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WIth Jarren Duran on first with a one-out single in the sixth, Devers demolished Lugo’s first pitch, a 91.8 mph four-seamer.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2025
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If anything, Gunther should absolutely demolish the beloved McAfee as a way of getting back on the right foot following a surprise submission defeat to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 40.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Verb
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O’Brien ranks 22nd in NCAA history in career caused turnovers with 160, which shatters Lacey Leigh Hentz’s previous school record of 146.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
10 May 2025
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His family confirmed his identity in a GoFundMe fundraiser, which has so far raised upwards of $35,000 to support his family, shattering its $5,000 goal.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
Verb
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That predecessor was wrecked May 9, 1980, when a freighter, lost in the vicious storm, broadsided the southbound span of the twin bridge and knocked down a 1,260-foot section of roadway.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
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However, according to the World Bank, the economy was already the best before Trump’s economic policies wrecked it.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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