devastated 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of devastatednext
as in destroyed

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devastated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of devastate
1
as in ravaged
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action the city was devastated, first by the earthquake and then by fires

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2
as in ruined
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of the explosion devastated an entire city block

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3
as in overwhelmed
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress we were devastated by the awful news of his death

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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
Adjective
But last month, Lara took legal action against State Farm, alleging the company mishandled wildfire claims in the devastated Los Angeles fire zones. — Pat Maio, Oc Register, 3 June 2026 Little did the Rays know at the time, but a trade for Ohtani would have left them devastated. — Ken Rosenthal, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Verb
The meetings took place less than two weeks after twin earthquakes devastated north-central Venezuela, killing thousands and leaving tens of thousands homeless. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026 Waiting on a Friend, Natalie Adler Advertisement Throughout the late 1970s and early ‘80s, Manhattan’s Lower East Side was a nonstop carnival until the AIDS epidemic devastated a generation of defiant gay men and trans women. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for devastated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastated
  1. ruined
  2. ravaged
  3. destroyed
  4. overwhelmed
  5. wrecked
  6. shattered
  7. damaged
  8. demolished
Adjective
  • Sitting on the rim of his consciousness was always cataclysm, the muted whisper of a ruined world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of ruined
Verb
  • They’ve been ravaged by freak injuries throughout the season and have yet to find their stride.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
  • Newsom's state was ravaged by a trans athlete national media crisis in May, for the second year in a row and third time in total in one year, as prominent trans athlete AB Hernandez competed in girls' sports.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of ravaged
Verb
  • These structures were regionally and culturally inspired, and largely destroyed during rapid and callous colonization.
    — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 4 July 2026
  • The Aspen Acres fire has likely destroyed more than 200 homes, but the fire conditions have stopped damage assessment teams from accessing some areas to get a clearer picture, Pueblo County officials said.
    — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 4 July 2026
Definition of destroyed
Verb
  • After surviving a dramatic 3–2 extra-time victory over Senegal in the Round of 32, the Belgians overwhelmed the USMNT, which had advanced in a 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026
  • The Americans played sloppy and ugly soccer in the first half, and Belgium overwhelmed the home side.
    — Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of overwhelmed
Adjective
  • Jury sees wrecked boat, crash re-enactment On the fourth day of trial, the jury hopped into a black Dodge van escorted by Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
  • Antunez got out of the wrecked vehicle and tried to flee on foot but was arrested by an OHA officer.
    — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Definition of wrecked
Verb
  • His companies have transformed industries, his wealth has shattered records, and his politics now shape governments and public debate.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
  • Republican Rick Jackson shattered spending records in Georgia by spending $108 million of his own money into his campaign for governor.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of shattered
Adjective
  • The Venezuelan College of Engineers (CIV) has launched emergency training sessions for engineers, architects and technical specialists who will inspect damaged structures and determine whether they can be repaired or must be demolished.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • Many injuries were reported in Wisconsin’s Walworth County after the storm toppled trees, knocked down power lines and damaged buildings, said Tom Hausner, undersheriff for the Walworth County Sheriff’s department.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of damaged
Verb
  • The 163rd Street Theatre was demolished in 1996 and today a Home Depot stands on the land.
    — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
  • Structures on the site, at 1451 Sproule Avenue, were demolished in 2005.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of demolished

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Cite this Entry

“Devastated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastated. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of devastated for Spanish Speakers

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