as in disastrous
causing or tending to cause destruction
a devastating blow to our morale
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ravaging
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
the city was devastated, first by the earthquake and then by fires
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in destroying
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 overwhelming
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 devastating
Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
The Season 8 finale ‘Flight’, which aired on May 17, 2012, saw a group of six doctors in a plane crash that kills Meredith’s (Ellen Pompeo) sister Lexie, a devastating moment for her boyfriend Mark.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
More than just devastating the lives of these commuters — most of whom earn under $49,000 per year and work blue-collar jobs — each of these cars on the freeway is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
—Stan Oklobdzija, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
That morphed following its devastating 1980s war with Iraq into more of an effort to provide a level of deterrence as Arab nations around it purchased sophisticated American bombs, warplanes and tanks that Tehran couldn’t access due to sanctions.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
The Season 8 finale ‘Flight’, which aired on May 17, 2012, saw a group of six doctors in a plane crash that kills Meredith’s (Ellen Pompeo) sister Lexie, a devastating moment for her boyfriend Mark.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
Asheville, North Carolina A longtime favorite fall vacation spot, Asheville is ready for visitors after last year’s devastating Hurricane Helene.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
More than just devastating the lives of these commuters — most of whom earn under $49,000 per year and work blue-collar jobs — each of these cars on the freeway is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
—Stan Oklobdzija, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
-
Having Bregman was and is still important, but losing Devers for a disastrous package of four players (with one prospect, James Tibbs III, already traded in a separate deadline deal) cannot be followed up by then letting Bregman walk in the winter.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Gase was fired after a disastrous 2020 season.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hatred, spread through rhetoric, populism and the internet, acts like a virus, ravaging any healthy social organism and bringing, death, destruction and pain.—
Alejandro González Iñárritu,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
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Giving Bad Bunny the space to spotlight his culture and politics is a bold move for Apple Music, Roc Nation, and the NFL, in light of the anti-Latino sentiment ravaging the country.—
Vanessa Diaz,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The former screen siren was fined nearly $25,000 in 2008 after being convicted of provoking discrimination and racial hatred for writing that Muslims are destroying her country.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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Block destruction is one of Minter’s defensive pillars, and the Chargers have not been destroying blocks on some of these explosive runs.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In Marcum’s home, a bowl of apples, red picture frames, and even a red matchbook placed on the coffee table are used as tools to lend a dynamic feel without overwhelming the space.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
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The majority of active shelter licenses for transitional and rehabilitation homes in Jefferson County are located in the West End and around Old Louisville, frustrating residents who say the homes are overwhelming their neighborhoods.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Feral pigs have earned a reputation as one of the nation’s most destructive invasive species.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Hawke sells all of Hart’s delusions, destructive impulses, and high-velocity downward spirals with an energy that keeps this bitchy, old-school collection of bon mots and screwball bickering moving along nicely.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Two men left and fired into the restaurant from the outside, shattering windows and striking two teenagers.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Oct. 2025
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The crash’s giddy prequel, dramatic unfolding, and shattering aftermath—the Great Depression—has long provided compelling material for writers.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kate Schneider and Caroline Handwerk each scored in the third quarter to separate from a halftime draw, finally overcoming a standout job from Bulldogs goalie Shealyn Murphy (15 saves).—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
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Threw five gutsy innings in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series after overcoming painful spasms in his neck and upper right trapezius.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Packages of flying tortillas thrown at the wrong time, or pocket knives, would only hurt a reputation that Texas Tech has worked doggedly to change and show that the Red Raiders are at home on a national stage, and not the crazy drunk uncle ruining a holiday.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Oct. 2025
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Since 2021, Spotify has offered an alternative app for kids to listen to music without ruining their parents recommendations.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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