1
as in to ravage
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 to destroy
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 to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
we were devastated by the awful news of his death
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in disastrous
causing or tending to cause destruction
a devastating blow to our morale
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 devastate
Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The entire neighborhood was thus deserted, with its infrastructure entirely devastated—no water networks, no electricity, and no communication or internet.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
Brady Africk, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Langlois — a Canadian VFX visionary responsible for the tech that made movies like Jurassic Park possible — and his partner Marchand collaborated not only on Coulibri Ridge, but also rebuilding jetties, a primary school, and coral reefs after the devastating 2017 storm.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
This impact triggered a tsunami up to 100 meters (328 feet) high, devastating the area and causing the creation of the Silverpit crater.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
During his announcement, Skinner acknowledged that many of their followers were heavily invested in their relationship and would be devastated by the news.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The entire neighborhood was thus deserted, with its infrastructure entirely devastated—no water networks, no electricity, and no communication or internet.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
These images suggested a more potent Iranian military response to devastating strikes than what Tehran was actually able to muster.
—Brady Africk, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Langlois — a Canadian VFX visionary responsible for the tech that made movies like Jurassic Park possible — and his partner Marchand collaborated not only on Coulibri Ridge, but also rebuilding jetties, a primary school, and coral reefs after the devastating 2017 storm.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Oil was discovered there in the 1920s, and the county went through booms and busts for decades, enriching wildcatters and devastating the landscape, until a lasting bust left Loving County a virtual wasteland with no running water, paved roads, schools, hospitals, or grocery stores.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
This impact triggered a tsunami up to 100 meters (328 feet) high, devastating the area and causing the creation of the Silverpit crater.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Adjective
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Since the election, Democrats have worked to recruit candidates and relay messaging with the goal of resonating with voters after a disastrous 2024.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Oct. 2025
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Report Despite a disastrous start to the season, the Ravens hope to turn around their fortunes by beating a Bears team on a four-game winning streak.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Aerial drones have dominated attention for the sheer numbers deployed and their destructive power.—
Anastasiia Malenko,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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If your dog is anxious or destructive, avoid leaving them alone at all, and consider hiring local dog-sitting services if needed.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Weather events, like extreme heat and wildfires, are becoming more common due to climate change and are having a deadly impact on the lives of thousands.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
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What ostensibly started as a war against the flow of the deadly opioid fentanyl has now ballooned into a far broader clash – spanning rare earths, American soybean exports, technology controls and China’s energy dealings with Russia.—
Jhasua Razo,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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