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
Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The entire neighborhood was thus deserted, with its infrastructure entirely devastated—no water networks, no electricity, and no communication or internet.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
The Corps website highlights the group's involvement in response to flooding and hurricane disasters in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida, as well as rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires this year.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
This impact triggered a tsunami up to 100 meters (328 feet) high, devastating the area and causing the creation of the Silverpit crater.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
During his announcement, Skinner acknowledged that many of their followers were heavily invested in their relationship and would be devastated by the news.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The entire neighborhood was thus deserted, with its infrastructure entirely devastated—no water networks, no electricity, and no communication or internet.
—Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Will and Lyra face a devastating separation, literally caught on either side of their two worlds, at the end of The Amber Spyglass.
—Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
The Corps website highlights the group's involvement in response to flooding and hurricane disasters in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida, as well as rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires this year.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Oil was discovered there in the 1920s, and the county went through booms and busts for decades, enriching wildcatters and devastating the landscape, until a lasting bust left Loving County a virtual wasteland with no running water, paved roads, schools, hospitals, or grocery stores.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
This impact triggered a tsunami up to 100 meters (328 feet) high, devastating the area and causing the creation of the Silverpit crater.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Adjective
-
Having Bregman was and is still important, but losing Devers for a disastrous package of four players (with one prospect, James Tibbs III, already traded in a separate deadline deal) cannot be followed up by then letting Bregman walk in the winter.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Gase was fired after a disastrous 2020 season.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Aerial drones have dominated attention for the sheer numbers deployed and their destructive power.—
Anastasiia Malenko,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
-
If your dog is anxious or destructive, avoid leaving them alone at all, and consider hiring local dog-sitting services if needed.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
However, as Chambers’ trial kicked off on Friday, her attorney, Mark Thiessen, suggested an alternate reason for the deadly crash.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Because gas leaks can lead to fires or explosions, and CO can be deadly even in small amounts, both types of detectors are critical for home kitchen safety.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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