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
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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
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 5 storm last week and has left large areas of Jamaica completely devastated.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
The Belgian Catholic Church has been rocked by a series of devastating clerical abuse scandals in recent years, which Pope Francis confronted directly during a visit to Belgium last year, spending more than two hours with survivors.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
That changed after Inter’s devastating 5–0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final — the worst defeat in the competition’s history.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
Even though they’re devastated by his unexpected death, the family is taking solace in the fact that the 12-year-old boy’s organ and tissue donations can help more than 300 people, according to the report.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a Category 5 storm last week and has left large areas of Jamaica completely devastated.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Yet 2025 has been perhaps the single most devastating year in the fight for a livable planet.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
The Belgian Catholic Church has been rocked by a series of devastating clerical abuse scandals in recent years, which Pope Francis confronted directly during a visit to Belgium last year, spending more than two hours with survivors.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
Flooding and landslides from Hurricane Melissa have killed at least 23 people in Haiti as the storm continues to churn across Cuba after devastating Jamaica, officials said Wednesday.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
That changed after Inter’s devastating 5–0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final — the worst defeat in the competition’s history.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Adjective
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The spotlight increased after a disastrous interview with CBS to promote the legendary coach’s book.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Second goal breaks Charlotte’s back The second half opened with a disastrous sequence for Charlotte.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In September, Typhoon Ragasa brought destructive winds and torrential rain to the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China as the strongest storm in the region this year.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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While Indonesia’s latest quakes did not generate tsunami alerts, past events have shown that similar offshore earthquakes can trigger destructive waves.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The section of the Guadalupe River where the camp is located has long been prone to deadly flash flooding.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Nov. 2025
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The deadliest assault on a school occurred in 2014 when Taliban gunmen killed 154 people, mostly children, at an army-run school in Peshawar.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
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