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
Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
Finn said she was devastated by the loss of her dear friend.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Simulating space tornadoes In 2013, former NASA chief Charles Bolden stated that space weather could be as devastating to the planet as regular tornadoes and other natural disasters on Earth.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 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
These orchards were devastated in the 2003 Cedar Fire, but have since grown back to their full glory.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
Finn said she was devastated by the loss of her dear friend.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Her search leads her back to the factory, where she’s faced with a devastating truth.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Simulating space tornadoes In 2013, former NASA chief Charles Bolden stated that space weather could be as devastating to the planet as regular tornadoes and other natural disasters on Earth.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 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
-
Moulton’s Senate primary rationale, stated or otherwise, rests on the enduring public image of former President Joe Biden, who withdrew from his 2024 reelection bid after a disastrous debate against Trump revealed limitations of being in office at age 82 and beyond.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
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No one has been sent home or saved because of a disastrous technical.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 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
-
In April, Gumrukcu’s lavish life came crashing back to reality when he was found guilty of orchestrating a deadly hit on a former business partner who threatened to unveil the slippery Los Angeles businessman’s fraudulent past.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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What started as a joyful dance party on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah suddenly became one of the first targets and deadliest sites of a surprise terror attack by Hamas.—
Gaby Vinick,
ABC News,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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