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
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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
Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Patterson has known the mayor for about 20 years and was devastated to read Wallace’s letter.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
The Season 8 finale ‘Flight’, which aired on May 17, 2012, saw a group of six doctors in a plane crash that kills Meredith’s (Ellen Pompeo) sister Lexie, a devastating moment for her boyfriend Mark.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
More than just devastating the lives of these commuters — most of whom earn under $49,000 per year and work blue-collar jobs — each of these cars on the freeway is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
—Stan Oklobdzija, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
The resulting war between Israel and Hamas devastated the territory of Gaza and left at least 40,000 residents dead.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Patterson has known the mayor for about 20 years and was devastated to read Wallace’s letter.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
That morphed following its devastating 1980s war with Iraq into more of an effort to provide a level of deterrence as Arab nations around it purchased sophisticated American bombs, warplanes and tanks that Tehran couldn’t access due to sanctions.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
The Season 8 finale ‘Flight’, which aired on May 17, 2012, saw a group of six doctors in a plane crash that kills Meredith’s (Ellen Pompeo) sister Lexie, a devastating moment for her boyfriend Mark.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
Asheville, North Carolina A longtime favorite fall vacation spot, Asheville is ready for visitors after last year’s devastating Hurricane Helene.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
More than just devastating the lives of these commuters — most of whom earn under $49,000 per year and work blue-collar jobs — each of these cars on the freeway is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
—Stan Oklobdzija, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Adjective
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Any such move before elections would likely be disastrous for Milei.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Finally, as ever, the potential for rash, impulsive decisions with disastrous long-term consequences is never out of mind with this franchise.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In a world where nuclear firepower defines global power, a handful of missiles stand out for their unmatched range, payload, and sheer destructive potential.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
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Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old man accused of setting the most destructive blaze in Los Angeles history, likely used a lighter to start a small fire on New Year’s Day that smoldered underground for days before reigniting in high winds and killing 12 people, federal authorities said Wednesday.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Islamabad — Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have flared in recent days with the exchange of deadly gunfire between the neighbors that has stoked fears of a wider conflict.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
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That to-and-fro could be seen in the Taliban's response to the deadly earthquake, which was most devastating in the isolated mountains of the eastern Kunar province in late August.—
NPR,
NPR,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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