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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastating
Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Without careful handling, these explosives can cause devastating destruction in crowded urban areas.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
From delivering disaster relief during devastating recent floods to investing in food banks, the business’ presence extends far beyond its checkout lines.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
One year later, another devastating loss visited the grieving father.
—Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Without careful handling, these explosives can cause devastating destruction in crowded urban areas.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
Conversely, if carbon dioxide levels ever fell too far, the Earth would freeze nearly solid, also devastating the biosphere.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
From delivering disaster relief during devastating recent floods to investing in food banks, the business’ presence extends far beyond its checkout lines.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
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Pittman, 63, was credited with stabilizing the program in the wake of the disastrous 4-20 run in two years under Chad Morris (2018-19), and had a 32-34 record in his first FBS head coaching job.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
28 Sep. 2025
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Inconsistencies in recent years, along with a disastrous 56-13 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday, spelled the end of Pittman's tenure at Arkansas.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Three weeks later, the 41-year-old was forced to evacuate her home with her newborn due to the devastating fires ravaging Los Angeles.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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But on an evening back in July, inordinate rainfall led to unrelenting floodwaters ravaging the lower level of Pledger’s home.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In July, the Dragon Bravo Fire engulfed the more remote side of Grand Canyon National Park, destroying dozens of structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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The horrific string of wildfires that has plagued California in recent years, taking dozens of lives and destroying many billions of dollars in property, also created a crisis in property insurance.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These modern takes on bright red will still provide warmth and drama to the room without overwhelming the space or clashing with other design elements.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Sep. 2025
-
At Proenza Schouler and Tory Burch, red was woven into textural details that demanded attention without overwhelming the garment—on bags, shoes, jumpers, dresses, and shorts.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In addition to the storm’s destructive winds and storm surge, heavy rainfall in excess of 200 mm (8 inches) will bring the potential for flooding across the region.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
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The film blends documentary and fiction to tell the dramatic and heartrending story of Mongolian herders Davaasuren Dagvasuren and Otgonzaya Dashzeveg’s difficult decision to leave their homelands after the arrival of a powerful and destructive sandstorm.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This prevents plastic buckets from breaking, for example, or glass bottles from shattering.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Sep. 2025
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But instead of shattering plates, gunshots cut through the music and the celebration devolved into chaos — the latest instance of gun violence erupting at a seemingly safe place in the US.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Marc Marquez says his latest MotoGP championship win carries a weight that goes beyond his statistics, describing it as the culmination of years spent overcoming injury, self-doubt and an inner battle to continue.—
Alex Harrington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
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In 2024, the Hurricanes started 9-0, including overcoming double-digit deficits against Virginia Tech, California and Duke in the early portion of its conference schedule.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Doing so could compromise the slight taper at the hem, ruining the silhouette.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
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Car designers love them for not ruining the lines of the door with the necessities of real life, but is the benefit from drag reduction worth the safety risk?—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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