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
Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Although the city was devastated after Hurricane Katrina hit the city in the fall of 2005, the store was mainly spared and managed to reopen less than two months later, and today, the business consists of seven neighboring buildings.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 Aug. 2025
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Immigration data includes passports, visas, SSNs; a breach would be devastating.
—Haokun Qin, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
Most residents of the eponymous regional capital now receive water only once every three days; Mariupol, the region's second-largest city, which was devastated in early days of the war, experiences even more sporadic deliveries.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Although the city was devastated after Hurricane Katrina hit the city in the fall of 2005, the store was mainly spared and managed to reopen less than two months later, and today, the business consists of seven neighboring buildings.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
According to Peacock’s announcement, the adaptation starts not with a game-winning score but with a devastating storm.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Immigration data includes passports, visas, SSNs; a breach would be devastating.
—Haokun Qin, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Adjective
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Spiers: Manchester City had a disastrous 2024-25 season and still only finished 13 points behind Liverpool.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
11 Aug. 2025
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As for other imports, Doval allowed three runs and took the loss in his debut to start the disastrous weekend.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The storms brought destructive heavy rainfall and flash floods to the nation’s Sao Vicente island.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Wisconsin's miserable summer weather is also affecting our mental health, experts say Few things are as destructive as a flood.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Police chases in Milwaukee have become increasingly deadly Police pursuits are so frequent, Milwaukee officers engage in between two and three every day, according to a city report in 2024.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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Eric Cyprian, 48, is charged with domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury, domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon, pointing a firearm at another, and two misdemeanors, domestic battery and cruelty to an animal.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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