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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastating
Benjamin Waddell, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
Despite the devastating results of the Tokyo Games, Biles competed at the Paris Olympics three years later with flair.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
President Nixon presided over the first Earth Day, founded in large part as a reaction to a devastating oil spill off the coast of California.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Ragans paired his changeup, knuckle-curve and slider around the devastating fastball.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
For the first time, ICE is also employing data from the Internal Revenue Service to identify some undocumented residents — a move that could also have devastating consequences for legal residents and citizens who get swept up with the undocumented.
—Benjamin Waddell, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
Despite the devastating results of the Tokyo Games, Biles competed at the Paris Olympics three years later with flair.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
President Nixon presided over the first Earth Day, founded in large part as a reaction to a devastating oil spill off the coast of California.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Ragans paired his changeup, knuckle-curve and slider around the devastating fastball.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
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Or, even more recently, the disastrous April 8 update to protect against the CVE-2025-21204 vulnerability that installed a mysterious folder, and got everyone’s collective conspiracy theory panties in a bunch.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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Democrats have been grappling with their own version of that resolution, especially ever since the disastrous defeat of their party’s presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, in November.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Online records show that Lamb was charged with homicide, kidnap-false imprisonment, evidence-destroying and procure for prostitute.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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But if enacted, some of the ideas proposed also risk destroying a nascent private sector and worsening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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That’s overwhelming even for the most experienced investor.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
31 Mar. 2025
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An adventurous mix of fabrics brings warmth to the primary suite, without overwhelming the space.—
Kristen Flanagan,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The indictment further alleges that, during this same period, Hamad conspired with co-defendant Collins to manufacture and possess destructive devices.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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Here’s another destructive attempt to tamper with a longstanding federal law.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Since March 14, severe weather has left a trail of destruction, toppling trees, demolishing homes, and igniting wildfires, the Associated Press reported.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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Education advocates and Democrats have condemned the move, and actually demolishing the agency would require an act of Congress.—
The Hill Staff,
The Hill,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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However, fewer than five minutes into Casten’s address, a protester with a megaphone stood up and shouted frustrations about U.S. military assistance to Israel in its deadly attacks on Gaza residents during their war with Hamas.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2025
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At least eight people were killed in drone strikes across the country, a night after Russia launched its deadliest bombardment of Ukraine since the middle of last year.—
Todd Symons,
CNN Money,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This prequel flashes back to a previous Christmas in Los Angeles, when their unintentional destruction of a Santa Claus parade balloon put the city on edge, wrecking the gang's plans for a massive Yuletide bank robbery.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 Dec. 2024
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The vocalist’s sole concerns related to the natural environment, the animal kingdom and humankind’s responsibility for wrecking our only home.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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