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 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
  • Liposuction surgically removes fat cells, while cryolipolysis freezes and destroys them.
    Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025
  • But the loving couple’s equilibrium hits a major bump when a freak coastal storm destroys Theo’s new building before its inauguration and viral videos compound his humiliation.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But the showy structure overwhelms the unshowy story.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
  • And so, as this deluge of data overwhelms us with such velocity, the imperative is ensuring that decisions are well-informed by precise, whole and transparent evidence.
    Anna Forsythe, Forbes.com, 2 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
  • That embryonic Xenomorph then shatters its container and leaps at Wendy, who pets it gently.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Trump's action shatters this precedent, inviting chaos.
    Dan Irvine, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • The technology overcomes the key trade-off between energy density and charging speed that limited previous lithium-metal battery designs.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Athens, Greece Athens glows beneath Mediterranean light, where marble ruins rise from its timeworn hillsides—from the world-famous Parthenon to the Temple of Hephaestus.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Egyptian officials shared one photo of the site, showing the mudbrick ruins of the settlement.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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