devastates

present tense third-person singular of devastate
1
2
as in demolishes
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

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 devastates Americans are used to thinking about automation as something that devastates factory towns in the heartland. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025 The novel is about three teenagers experiencing the joy and angst of their senior year in a New York City high school as the AIDS crisis devastates their community. Abdi Nazemian, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025 Deadly flooding devastates South Asia Almost 400 people have died in Pakistan after flash floods brought destruction throughout the country’s north. Semafor Staff, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Illness devastates the novel’s humble, endearing protagonist, who bravely crosses class boundaries in her enthralling search for peace. Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastates
Verb
  • These newly aware companies’ high-speed trading of financial projects destroys the Earth itself, forcing humans to flee to the margins of the solar system.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Most of the time, a person’s immune system identifies and destroys these cells.
    Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This figure motivates Butrich but also overwhelms her.
    Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
  • If a disaster overwhelms state and local capacity, officials may request a presidential declaration, the agency said.
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As extreme heat ravages New York City this summer, the lives of thousands detained on Rikers Island hang in the balance.
    Darren Mack, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Continue reading … HEAT HISTORY – Padres flamethrower shatters MLB record with jaw-dropping pitch in playoff battle.
    , FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Gunfire shatters windows at The Grand The fatal shooting in August was the latest incident amid ongoing crime problems there, the lawsuit says.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, the new fuel cell overcomes this challenge with its lightweight design.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Saginaw’s surge overcomes Boswell The Pioneers of Boswell dominated play in the opening half, building a 21-0 lead that looked rock solid behind a persistent defense and an offense balanced with good running and passing.
    Pat Wheeler, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The whole image is a set of geometric elements receding precisely, which either or both ruins or/and enhances a little of the painting’s magic for me.
    Kate Colby October 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
  • At least four people were killed and eight wounded, and authorities were searching the building ruins for more victims.
    Isabella Volmert, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Messy data wrecks forecasts, distorts reporting and wastes time.
    Thasha Batts, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Devastates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastates. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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