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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of devastate
Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
But at that time, I was just devastated and in awe.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Makary, an avid podcast guest, has used his airtime to issue devastating takedowns of nutrition education, only to be interrupted by advertisements for unproven dietary supplements.
—Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Jake Scott, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
The ripple effects from the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Saturday could make their way quickly here, devastating this island that has been in a yearslong economic crisis.
—Orlando Matos, NBC news, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
Guthrie thanked the president for taking the time to call and told him her family is devastated and needs prayers, NBC later reported.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
But at that time, I was just devastated and in awe.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The decision had devastating consequences, the outlet noted.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Makary, an avid podcast guest, has used his airtime to issue devastating takedowns of nutrition education, only to be interrupted by advertisements for unproven dietary supplements.
—Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
Rubella, also called German measles, is mild in children but devastating to fetuses, causing deafness, heart defects and intellectual disabilities when pregnant women are infected.
—Jake Scott, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
The ripple effects from the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Saturday could make their way quickly here, devastating this island that has been in a yearslong economic crisis.
—Orlando Matos, NBC news, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Adjective
-
Secretary Noem paused the diversity lottery to ensure no more Americans are harmed by this disastrous program.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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The main issues on that offense were instability at offensive coordinator, as owner Woody Johnson forced him to fire Mike LaFleur after the 2022 season and replace him with the disastrous Nathaniel Hackett.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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From heating food quickly to baking delicious cakes, the microwave oven is used for a constructive purpose by millions today, far from the destructive intentions for which its technology was invented.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Feb. 2026
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Both sides could merely leave things alone for the moment, which would be the least destructive option for now.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Martinez and another man were charged in October with assault with a deadly weapon, accused of following the agents' vehicles and initiating the collision with Exum's SUV that led to the shooting on Chicago's south side.—
James Hill,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The January 29, 2025, collision was the deadliest commercial aviation accident in the United States in the last 16 years.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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