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
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Her kids were devastated when the pool closed permanently.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 11 May 2026
In the wake of devastating wildfires, Californians are facing a property insurance crisis.
—Teagan Davidge, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
The annual rains have been failing over the past several years, interrupted in 2023 by devastating flooding.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
By 2023, the pandemic had devastated Spirit’s finances.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Her kids were devastated when the pool closed permanently.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
Adjective
As Elliot retreats from the devastating reality of his illness, father and daughter are forced to confront the unspoken truths between them.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 11 May 2026
In the wake of devastating wildfires, Californians are facing a property insurance crisis.
—Teagan Davidge, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Verb
Two tornadoes ripped through west Michigan on April 14, devastating a family dairy farm in Fenick, releasing hundreds of cows and leaving thousands without power.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
The annual rains have been failing over the past several years, interrupted in 2023 by devastating flooding.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
-
In Bird Box, mysterious entities that drive people who look at them completely insane ravage the planet, and the only way to survive is to not look at them.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
8 May 2026
-
The majority of those moves in that 2020 season were necessitated by the team seeing nearly one-third of its roster ravaged and only having so many options to fill spots.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Onions can be used as a companion plant to carrots to keep away the destructive carrot fly, a pest that can stunt the growth of carrots and even destroy entire plantings.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2026
-
If an Entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or destroyed, entrant’s sole remedy shall be another entry into the Sweepstakes.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Aging in ex-bourbon oak barrels adds vanilla and caramel notes without overwhelming the spirit’s lighter structure.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
To allow your anger at the cosmic unluckiness of a friend’s far-too-early passing be overwhelmed by your gratitude at the cosmic luckiness of ever having met them at all.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Too much of it can be disastrous for the local ecosystems, leading to issues like algal blooms.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
-
The Lakers coach couldn’t even sub fast enough before Ayton’s two-handed frustration shove of Oklahoma City guard Ajay Mitchell put a disappointing punctuation mark on a disastrous 19-second stretch for the Lakers starting center.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
With disease ravaging Earth, Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) leads a group of astronauts out on an incredibly dangerous mission through a wormhole on a last-ditch attempt at finding somewhere else to live.—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
The Thunder dug in their heels through two Game 7s, a title run and a season of ravaging injury luck.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Giant sheets of plastic hang from the ceiling to separate different areas for destroying things and painting.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
-
Pests and wood-destroying organisms Charlotte’s warm, humid climate makes termites a year-round threat, not just seasonal.—
Ryan Brennan
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The film industry has a genuine chance to protect itself from the slop proliferation problem already overwhelming YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
Now under $100, these square-toe flats channel minimalist charm, featuring a leather upper and a dainty bow at the front for a subtle touch without overwhelming.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
10 May 2026
-
On Friday, a pitchers’ duel was ruined by a circus act of an inning, and the Cardinals beat the Padres 6-0.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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