1
as in ravaged
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
the city was devastated, first by the earthquake and then by fires
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ruined
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 overwhelmed
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
we were devastated by the awful news of his death
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in destroyed
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 devastated
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 20 July 2025
Diggs plays Brendan, a millionaire who makes a shocking offer to a married couple in crisis, Maya (Mitchell) and Shawn (Williams), who are financially devastated and caring for a terminally ill parent.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 3 July 2025
Emily Cochrane, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Then Hurricane Helene devastated the southwestern part of the state and wreaked havoc on the Blue Ridge Parkway, destroying people's homes and rendering roads impassable.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastated
Verb
President Trump toured the devastated areas on July 11.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 20 July 2025
Diggs plays Brendan, a millionaire who makes a shocking offer to a married couple in crisis, Maya (Mitchell) and Shawn (Williams), who are financially devastated and caring for a terminally ill parent.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 3 July 2025
Adjective
The possibility of being able to get more money for shrimp could be a financial lifeline for shrimpers and fish markets along Florida’s Gulf Coast, where Hurricane Ian devastated livelihoods in 2022.
—Emily Cochrane, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Then Hurricane Helene devastated the southwestern part of the state and wreaked havoc on the Blue Ridge Parkway, destroying people's homes and rendering roads impassable.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastated
Verb
-
The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, displaced most of the population and left nearly everyone dependent on international aid.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Homes and the nearby shops on North Fair Oaks had been destroyed.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Houston has athletic size, and that has overwhelmed the Clippers in previous matchups.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Fatherhood overwhelmed Wade at first.—
D. Watkins,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
And then in Joker 2, some people complained that the movie was ruined by the images on the screen and the sounds that accompanied them.—
Lexy Perez,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Believing their beloved team already ruined mock drafting for the next two months, New York Giants fans probably hope for a loss against a Philadelphia Eagles team expected to rest starters Sunday.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Stretford End was demolished and replaced.—
Michael Walker,
The Athletic,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The area has remained surface parking lots since 2012, when the arena was demolished.—
Ryan Deto,
Axios,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The venture devised by stars Tiger Woods and Rory Mcilroy was intended to launch a year ago but a storm wrecked the building.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
5 Jan. 2025
-
Knee and shoulder injuries wrecked her 2024 season, with the Tunisian speaking about needing regular knee injections to be able to play following a third-round defeat to Elina Svitolina at Wimbledon in July.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
The Athletic,
28 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Devastated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastated. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share