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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb devastate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of devastate are despoil, pillage, ravage, sack, and waste. While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

In what contexts can despoil take the place of devastate?

While the synonyms despoil and devastate are close in meaning, despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

How are the words pillage and sack related as synonyms of devastate?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.

settlements pillaged by Vikings

When would ravage be a good substitute for devastate?

The words ravage and devastate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

Where would sack be a reasonable alternative to devastate?

Although the words sack and devastate have much in common, sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

When is waste a more appropriate choice than devastate?

While in some cases nearly identical to devastate, waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of devastate She and her family were financially devastated, O'Connor said, and her kids couldn't tap into benefits, like college funding, that comes after a line-of-duty death. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025 Upon arriving at the station, they were devastated to learn that Iryna had died at the scene. Michael Dorgan , Alexis McAdams, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Our mother did pass away, but our dad is still alive, and he is devastated, as any parent would be. Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025 From delivering disaster relief during devastating recent floods to investing in food banks, the business’ presence extends far beyond its checkout lines. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
  • On the news, Ukraine was ravaged.
    Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In November 1996, a fire ravaged the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery.
    Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Some are value-destroying black holes; others are relentless value creators.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The first instance of NATO nations downing drones came last week, when Polish and Dutch fighters destroyed three Russian drones over Poland.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As the infection overwhelms the body, severe drops in blood pressure further starve vital organs of oxygen.
    Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
  • That’s a fast track to overwhelm, a broken budget, and frustration.
    Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Our family has been ruined by Denise's lies of promising to end a year-long affair.
    Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • How Wi-Fi HaLow Can Help Address These Needs To overcome connectivity gaps in large-scale environmental monitoring, some researchers and technologists are turning to Wi-Fi HaLow.
    Michael De Nil, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The movie adaptation is also rife with metaphors about boys becoming men and overcoming life-or-death circumstances to make it out the other side.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An image taken on August 19 shows Israeli excavators and bulldozers demolishing buildings in Zeitoun.
    Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In a shocking and dominant performance, Lesnar completely demolished Cena, delivering 16 German suplexes in a one-sided beatdown to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • What would shatter any other nation has become our daily broadcast.
    John Feinblatt, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • These hopes are shattered when a brutish stranger appears on the doorstep to take his family back.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Last week the hacks finally returned Read’s SUV, but with its electronics system totally wrecked.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Arguing further against a lopsided game, two Eagles defenders who wrecked Kansas City’s blocking in the Super Bowl have moved on.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on devastate

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