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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of devastate
Andrea Hagan, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
The unrest devastated the neighborhood.
—George Motz, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Paris Barraza, USA Today, 4 May 2026
The series is determined to make sure that its most devastating moments hit hard, and if that requires extending those pivotal scenes beyond what was strictly necessary, nobody seems worried.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Markos Kounalakis, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
For this woman, devastating in her humanity and dignity throughout the four months of the extraordinary trial, who was propelled into becoming a global icon in the fight against the violence done to women, the time has now come to rebuild.
—Time, Time, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
The 2025 cuts are substantially larger and more targeted, and have devastated some groups.
—Andrea Hagan, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
The unrest devastated the neighborhood.
—George Motz, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Adjective
In Los Angeles, voters will decide whether Bass, an incumbent, gets to continue leading a major city post-devastating wildfires and preparing for global sporting events like the LA Olympics.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 4 May 2026
The series is determined to make sure that its most devastating moments hit hard, and if that requires extending those pivotal scenes beyond what was strictly necessary, nobody seems worried.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Verb
Political battles over programs like the Affordable Care Act, which attempted to codify a similar focus on preventive care, show how federal gridlock fuels the very cuts now devastating local health budgets.
—Markos Kounalakis, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
For this woman, devastating in her humanity and dignity throughout the four months of the extraordinary trial, who was propelled into becoming a global icon in the fight against the violence done to women, the time has now come to rebuild.
—Time, Time, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Adjective
-
Too much of it can be disastrous for the local ecosystems, leading to issues like algal blooms.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
-
The Lakers coach couldn’t even sub fast enough before Ayton’s two-handed frustration shove of Oklahoma City guard Ajay Mitchell put a disappointing punctuation mark on a disastrous 19-second stretch for the Lakers starting center.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to possessing the destructive device, which contained flammable ethanol and a wick designed to ignite when lighted.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Just wish-casting a world to exist that doesn’t, which is very destructive.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Hantavirus is more common in Asia and Europe, where the strains that circulate are less deadly, with a case fatality rate that ranges from less than 1% to 15%.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
Germany has been rocked by a string of deadly car ramming attacks in recent years.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
