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
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Although it’s been months since Hurricane Helene devastated many North Carolina mountain towns, residents and local businesses are still struggling to get back on their feet in a region that relies heavily on tourism.
—Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
Charlie Campbell, Time, 16 May 2025
If that happened at Harvard, the consequences elsewhere would be devastating, said Suzanne Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Verb
Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a dramatic surge in its Venezuelan population, driven by a mass exodus from a country devastated by a humanitarian crisis under Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian rule.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Although it’s been months since Hurricane Helene devastated many North Carolina mountain towns, residents and local businesses are still struggling to get back on their feet in a region that relies heavily on tourism.
—Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
Adjective
While intimidation is sadly par for the course for local NGOs in the Philippines, the freezing of the bank accounts was devastating.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 16 May 2025
If that happened at Harvard, the consequences elsewhere would be devastating, said Suzanne Ortega, president of the Council of Graduate Schools.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Adjective
-
Physicist Matthew von Hippel looks not at the birth of the universe but at its destruction, outlining a disastrous world-ending scenario that makes asteroid strikes and Earth-colliding black holes look like kid stuff.—
Jeanna Bryner,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
-
Here, The Athletic looks at what this all means, what points deductions Leicester could face, where the EFL stands on any Premier League sanction and the potential repercussions for a club already reeling from what has been a disastrous season on the pitch.—
Rob Tanner,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
As such, Congress should include repeal of this unfair and economically destructive tax in the reconciliation bill that it is slated to consider this summer.—
James Carter,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2025
-
Rates have jumped in the past five years because of increasingly severe weather and wildfires, which are growing more destructive because of the impact of climate change in the state.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
7 May 2025
Adjective
-
Drone video shows tornadoes' damage in Kentucky morning after deadly storms 01:30 4.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
-
Meanwhile, Russia is making steady gains in Ukraine, and Putin is preparing a summer offensive that could be the deadliest of the war so far, an expert has assessed.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share