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
David Szondy
april 19, New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2026
Five days later on the same page, Klein posted the devastating news.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Jeffrey Tully, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
But the war now is devastating it.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
Not only does the scattershot of the multi-projectiles greatly increase the chances of hitting a drone, the NATO standard cartridge delivers a much heavier punch that is twice that of a shotgun, so one tiny bit of shot can be devastating.
—David Szondy
april 19, New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2026
Five days later on the same page, Klein posted the devastating news.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
Our team found that a hospital cyberattack cut the odds of surviving a cardiac arrest without devastating brain damage by nearly 90% at nearby hospitals, not just the one that was attacked.
—Jeffrey Tully, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
But the war now is devastating it.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
-
Many similar blunders have been recorded in years past, including arguably the worst example, a disastrous decision three decades ago to overhaul how electricity was produced, distributed and priced.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
This is disastrous and very concerning for the future of San Diego, which is going to lose jobs at an unparalleled pace given the presence of artificial intelligence.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Taiwanese friends have told me that the tariffs are ravaging their businesses.—
Michelle Kuo,
The Dial,
14 Apr. 2026
-
While the war is ravaging many parts of the Middle East, upending daily life in countries in that region, the effects in the United States are mostly economic so far.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Neighbors like Vetsch off Marion Road are convinced that's what hit their neighborhood, destroying multiple homes.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Voting out the party that has been destroying our country must be our only focus.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Think of it like a blender—feed scraps in slowly to avoid overwhelming the system.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Try to create an ongoing supportive dialogue about their feelings and offer them an open invitation to come talk to you when their emotions are overwhelming them.—
Laura Wheatman Hill,
Parents,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lee Scott Wygal Ralston, 37, is facing 32 felony counts of manufacturing a destructive device and 32 counts of possession of a destructive device.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Roughly 175 firefighters responded to the six-alarm blaze, which is considered one of the most destructive warehouse fires in the region.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The following week at the San Jose Invitational, Wilkins broke his own world record on three consecutive throws, shattering the 70-meter and 230-feet barriers along the way.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The actress said that one night, her daughter, Luca, 28, witnessed her shattering framed photos of herself and Abrams and then using the glass shards to self-harm.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Frank said the team could take pride in overcoming its dreadful start to come within a few victories of landing a higher seed that would have assured them a playoff spot, and posting its league-best 15th consecutive winning season.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Halos stormed through the playoffs to this franchise's only championship, overcoming a 3-2 series deficit to Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These tenacious insects discreetly land on your skin, leaving sudden, itchy, and painful bites that can swell and turn red, ruining a perfectly pleasant outdoor evening.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
18 Apr. 2026
-
While the couple was able to laugh it off in the moment, the majority of comments on TikTok were negative, with people accusing Zach of being an attention-seeker and ruining the wedding.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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