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
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 12 July 2025
But to willingly accept second-class status would devastate their brands.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025
For example, the insurance company has received nearly 13,000 claims and paid out more than $4.2 billion to California homeowners who suffered losses during the devastating wildfires that raged across the Los Angeles area in January, according to an update posted last week on its website.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for south central Texas, a week after the area was devastated by deadly flash floods.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 12 July 2025
But to willingly accept second-class status would devastate their brands.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
Adjective
Here's what to know about the devastating wildfire.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025
For example, the insurance company has received nearly 13,000 claims and paid out more than $4.2 billion to California homeowners who suffered losses during the devastating wildfires that raged across the Los Angeles area in January, according to an update posted last week on its website.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Adjective
-
That does not mean people place blind faith in AI or use it to displace human-to-human interactions; that would be disastrous.—
Yasmin Green,
Foreign Affairs,
7 July 2025
-
It was largely forgotten about until closer to release (December 2020 was launch, and its disastrous release was all anyone could talk about).—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
He was charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to Terrorists, Conspiracy to manufacture unregistered destructive devices and aiding and abetting the manufacture of unregistered destructive devices.—
Scott MacFarlane
July 6,
CBS News,
6 July 2025
-
These impacts have been felt profoundly with more destructive fires, intense water shortages and flooding in California as well as in many other parts of the world.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Wetlands need restoration to once again catch phosphorus that pours from extinct volcanoes and prevent the growth of deadly algae.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
15 July 2025
-
Scene Breakdown: Embrace AI Convention - From a dance battle to a blood fest, this breakdown will show how each department worked together to create this epic and deadly sequence.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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