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
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 May 2025
Johnson was devastated about her daughter’s death and told Fox 8 that their family was still processing their grief.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 22 May 2025
Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 26 May 2025
Listen to this article 4 min Christie Brinkley is sending love to her ex-husband Billy Joel, just days after the Grammy Award winner announced a devastating diagnosis.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 May 2025
Johnson was devastated about her daughter’s death and told Fox 8 that their family was still processing their grief.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
However, the singer decided to postpone the news after the devastating wildfires that began in Los Angeles in January.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 26 May 2025
Listen to this article 4 min Christie Brinkley is sending love to her ex-husband Billy Joel, just days after the Grammy Award winner announced a devastating diagnosis.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Adjective
-
The Giants didn’t have a disastrous road trip, winning two of their three series, but taking just two out of three against rebuilding teams won’t be enough to catch the Dodgers, and getting swept by contending teams will leave them outside of the wild-card chase.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
Following a disastrous accident, Cadence's life changes forever, disrupting the harmony builtbetween her, her family, and her inner circle.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
Of those, 11 strengthened into hurricanes and five became major hurricanes — including the massively destructive Hurricanes Helene and Milton and Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 storm on record.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
-
The MacGuffin of all MacGuffins, we're told the Rabbit's Foot is some sort of powerful, potentially destructive force, but its exact nature is never explained in the film.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
On May 29, Russia launched a series of deadly attacks across Ukraine, killing at least seven civilians.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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