as in destroyed
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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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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastated
Josiane Yazbeck, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, numerous commemorations and tributes occurred in the devastated communities and throughout the city and county of Los Angeles —including flags flying at half-staff at City Hall, county buildings and at all state buildings.
—City News Service, Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
That powder-keg moment quickly spread nationwide, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with a regime that has systematically devastated the country while clinging to its rigid ideology.
—Lily Moayeri, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastated
Adjective
White phosphorus also ignited large-scale fires that ravaged oak and pine forests and devastated wildlife.
—Josiane Yazbeck, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, numerous commemorations and tributes occurred in the devastated communities and throughout the city and county of Los Angeles —including flags flying at half-staff at City Hall, county buildings and at all state buildings.
—City News Service, Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the first wave of attacks Saturday when strikes devastated his compound in Tehran.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
That powder-keg moment quickly spread nationwide, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with a regime that has systematically devastated the country while clinging to its rigid ideology.
—Lily Moayeri, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastated
Verb
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Two days after a devastating tornado ravaged their home and hundreds of other buildings in Kankakee County, an Aroma Park couple is already planning to rebuild, and not losing their sense of humor during a difficult time.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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Thrash focuses on a coastal town that gets ravaged by a Category 5 storm, leading to the arrival of hungry sharks.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
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Athens then destroyed Melos and launched the Sicily Expedition with overwhelming force and no coherent theory of governance for what came next.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These Bruins overwhelmed the Hawkeyes by displaying every necessary strength required to take the final step and finish the job next month in Phoenix.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Just don’t get overwhelmed by any powerful emotions!—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His choices allow the viewer to drink in the intimate details of the ruined world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The command structure behind that network is now shattered.—
Andrew Ghalili,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
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Yet still, life went on in Etzatlán, until the sense of tranquility was shattered.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Helicopter footage showed the man darting out from the wrecked Charger in a black T-shirt and white shorts.—
Jacob Beltran,
San Antonio Express-News,
13 Feb. 2026
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The chase ended when the suspect crashed and ran from the wrecked vehicle, officials said.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The biggest difference is that the old Kop terrace, which stood derelict for years, has finally been demolished, with a new stand now under construction.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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After swinging through a slider on the first pitch, Guerrero demolished a low, inside curveball into the concourse over the left-field seats for a two-run homer that made it 4-1.—
Noah Gulley,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even if direct fighting eased soon, damaged facilities, disrupted logistics and shipping risk could keep fuel markets distorted for weeks or months.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
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The sheriff's office also advised people to avoid damaged structures and structures that had been marked by emergency personnel.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastated. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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