as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
the sheer devastation of the housing development by the forest fire
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastation
Arellano was recognized for opinion writing for his columns illuminating the fear and devastation of local immigrants during last summer’s ICE raids.
—
Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
Since launching in Los Angeles in 2021, Bleak Week has consistently supported the notion that well-rendered, artistic tales of devastation play best to rooms full of people who are already primed for heartbreak.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
In visual journalism, The Times got a breaking news photography award for depicting devastation and starvation in Gaza resulting from Israel’s war in the territory.
—Jennifer Peltz, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
Despite the devastation, the Gonzaleses say they are focused on rebuilding – together.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 1 May 2026
In a statement to the outlet, Christian’s daughter, Brooklyn, expressed her devastation after receiving the news of her father’s death.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Grief, especially from cancer, is a quiet kind of devastation.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
In the two years following Hurricane Maria’s devastation in Puerto Rico in 2017, overdose reports increased, another study found.
—Andrew Jones, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
That’s where the McCurdys found devastation.
—Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
Since launching in Los Angeles in 2021, Bleak Week has consistently supported the notion that well-rendered, artistic tales of devastation play best to rooms full of people who are already primed for heartbreak.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
In visual journalism, The Times got a breaking news photography award for depicting devastation and starvation in Gaza resulting from Israel’s war in the territory.
—Jennifer Peltz, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
Despite the devastation, the Gonzaleses say they are focused on rebuilding – together.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 1 May 2026
In a statement to the outlet, Christian’s daughter, Brooklyn, expressed her devastation after receiving the news of her father’s death.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Grief, especially from cancer, is a quiet kind of devastation.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
In the two years following Hurricane Maria’s devastation in Puerto Rico in 2017, overdose reports increased, another study found.
—Andrew Jones, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
That’s where the McCurdys found devastation.
—Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastation
Noun
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GameStop’s $65 billion, half-cash/half-stock bid would heavily dilute shareholders, add risky leverage, and require an unrealistically high valuation multiple, making value destruction more likely than creating an Amazon rival.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
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The letter warns that these dynamics are not only driving environmental destruction but also weakening Indigenous governance and territorial control.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Used his size and good wheels to create havoc in the offensive zone, took on all comers and pitched in offensively with double-digit goals.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
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Now, using currently available AI models, the barriers of entry to wreaking cyber havoc have been lowered.—
Hugh Son,Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The day after that loss, per team sources, Brunson approached the team before practice about needing to re-shift the collective mindset.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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The Aces, who were coming off a 33-point blowout opening day loss to Phoenix on Saturday, scored 33 of their points in the third quarter and that’s when the wheels fell off for the Sparks.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Bald eagles have made a strong recovery in Michigan, growing from the edge of extinction with just 52 breeding pairs in the 1960s to about 900 pairs by 2023, Bridge Michigan reported.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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By the early 1940s, it was gone, widely recognized as the first butterfly in North America driven to extinction by human activity.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The New York Knicks took care of business, to say the least, against the Philadelphia 76ers with another utter demolition on the road in a close-out game.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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The group also hopes this pending purchase protects the house from demolition, something the property owner is pushing for even though a previous request to demolish was denied last year.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastation. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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