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
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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
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as in disastrous
causing or tending to cause destruction
a devastating blow to our morale
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastate
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
While the conflict devastated numerous supply lines worldwide, Britain had secured its potash lifeline.
— Made By History, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
Benjamin Waddell, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
Despite the devastating results of the Tokyo Games, Biles competed at the Paris Olympics three years later with flair.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
The war in Gaza has devastated the territory since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
While the conflict devastated numerous supply lines worldwide, Britain had secured its potash lifeline.
— Made By History, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
For the first time, ICE is also employing data from the Internal Revenue Service to identify some undocumented residents — a move that could also have devastating consequences for legal residents and citizens who get swept up with the undocumented.
—Benjamin Waddell, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
Despite the devastating results of the Tokyo Games, Biles competed at the Paris Olympics three years later with flair.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Adjective
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Democrats have been grappling with their own version of that resolution, especially ever since the disastrous defeat of their party’s presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, in November.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2025
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Or, even more recently, the disastrous April 8 update to protect against the CVE-2025-21204 vulnerability that installed a mysterious folder, and got everyone’s collective conspiracy theory panties in a bunch.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The indictment further alleges that, during this same period, Hamad conspired with co-defendant Collins to manufacture and possess destructive devices.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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Here’s another destructive attempt to tamper with a longstanding federal law.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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As tensions between India and Pakistan reach a boiling point following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has publicly offered Tehran's assistance in mediating the crisis.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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However, fewer than five minutes into Casten’s address, a protester with a megaphone stood up and shouted frustrations about U.S. military assistance to Israel in its deadly attacks on Gaza residents during their war with Hamas.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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