1
as in destroys
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 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
as in overwhelms
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
we were devastated by the awful news of his death
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastates
So when the dog is lost in a severe storm that devastates the region and leaves many homeless, an overwhelmed Rose must balance the urgency of her search mission alongside the misfortune of others close to her.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 June 2026
Withholding effective treatment for chronic disease devastates lives and drives up healthcare costs.
—Karen R. Studer, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
After an epidemic devastates humanity, one group, the Traveling Symphony, connects disparate survivors by performing Shakespeare.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 May 2026
The fire devastates the area, burning down the couple's entire property.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
As a Category 5 hurricane devastates a small coastal town, flooding turns out to be the least of the residents' worries when the rising water brings massive predators with it.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Florida’s citrus industry has been in a steady decline the past 25 years because of Huanglongbing (also known as HLB and citrus greening disease), a bacterial disease that devastates citrus trees.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Kyiv residents endure long daily blackouts as Russia devastates the power system, leaving tower block dwellers freezing in apartments with no heat or light.
—Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2026
Exacerbating the problem, unpredictable rainfall cycling between drought and floods further devastates the region.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 June 2026
Withholding effective treatment for chronic disease devastates lives and drives up healthcare costs.
—Karen R. Studer, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
After an epidemic devastates humanity, one group, the Traveling Symphony, connects disparate survivors by performing Shakespeare.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 May 2026
The fire devastates the area, burning down the couple's entire property.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
As a Category 5 hurricane devastates a small coastal town, flooding turns out to be the least of the residents' worries when the rising water brings massive predators with it.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 10 Apr. 2026
Florida’s citrus industry has been in a steady decline the past 25 years because of Huanglongbing (also known as HLB and citrus greening disease), a bacterial disease that devastates citrus trees.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Kyiv residents endure long daily blackouts as Russia devastates the power system, leaving tower block dwellers freezing in apartments with no heat or light.
—Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2026
Exacerbating the problem, unpredictable rainfall cycling between drought and floods further devastates the region.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastates
Verb
-
An agent that cannot reliably query real-time pricing and inventory, or that cannot preserve brand logic through a checkout flow, destroys the value that luxury merchants have spent decades building.—
Josipa Majic Predin,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
April freeze destroys crops Early on the morning of April 21, temperatures in Maryland dropped into the low 20s after weeks of unseasonably warm weather.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
An $8,000 Ryvid Anthem or a $10,000 Maeving RM1S will deliver broadly similar urban usability, while the $12,500 Zero FXE absolutely demolishes it on power-per-dollar.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 12,
New Atlas,
12 June 2026
-
The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bold pink, yellow, and blue tile typically overwhelms a bathroom, dictates its overall color scheme, and limits decor choices.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 June 2026
-
If 21st-century technology overwhelms our 18th-century institutions—if social media and AI destroy our capacity to think independently, evaluate facts, and recognize truth—Americans aren’t the only ones who will pay the price.—
Jeffrey Rosen,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Wildfire ravages Simi Valley as evacuations are underway.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
Greenhouses provide protection from scourges like tomato blight, which ravages otherwise beautiful crops in areas with cool, rainy weather.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The two commit to a duel, each agreeing to fire their guns when a bottle of champagne rolls off the bar and shatters on the floor.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
This type of error creates friction and shatters trust.—
Jerry Haywood,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
These families show that love overcomes differences.—
Geoffrey Greif,
Baltimore Sun,
11 June 2026
-
As the realization that nothing—or no one—will be enough overcomes the final bridge, a flurry of drums gallop in and the track explodes into fireworks as Rodrigo screams her guts out.—
Quinn Moreland,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Nothing ruins the start of a weekend away faster than wrestling with an overstuffed bag.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
16 June 2026
-
Again, don't wring the suit, which ruins the shape.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Kyle Busch wrecks Ron Hornaday under caution!—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
The change launches biannual arguments about the practice, wrecks havoc on sleep and has inspired voters to go to California polls.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastates. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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