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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Recent Examples of devastation
When the squad reported back to Kirkby five days after his death, the training complex was a scene of utter devastation.
—
James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026
The capybara has since come to symbolize resilience and the determination to reclaim joy after devastation.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
Another strange feeling for Moeller was the need for sunglasses inside what Hurricane Milton rendered an open-air Tropicana Field thanks to the storm’s devastation.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
It’s been four weeks since an EF-5 tornado slammed to the ground in Joplin, its 200-mph winds scouring a three-quarter-mile-wide, six-mile-long band of devastation.
—Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
The devastation and sadness is beyond words.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
There was the devastation of extreme mental illness for Avedon’s sister and his second wife.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
The Strategic Defense and Security Review (SDSR) at the time stated that the world was headed in a much more dangerous state, but the fiscal devastation of the 2008 Financial Crisis pushed the Government into a series of cuts that were intended to be short-term.
—Michael Saunders, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
All of this is presented as a critique of mass tourism and ecological devastation.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026
The capybara has since come to symbolize resilience and the determination to reclaim joy after devastation.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
Another strange feeling for Moeller was the need for sunglasses inside what Hurricane Milton rendered an open-air Tropicana Field thanks to the storm’s devastation.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
It’s been four weeks since an EF-5 tornado slammed to the ground in Joplin, its 200-mph winds scouring a three-quarter-mile-wide, six-mile-long band of devastation.
—Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
The devastation and sadness is beyond words.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
There was the devastation of extreme mental illness for Avedon’s sister and his second wife.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
The Strategic Defense and Security Review (SDSR) at the time stated that the world was headed in a much more dangerous state, but the fiscal devastation of the 2008 Financial Crisis pushed the Government into a series of cuts that were intended to be short-term.
—Michael Saunders, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
All of this is presented as a critique of mass tourism and ecological devastation.
—Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastation
Noun
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Pratt did not deny the report and responded on X by blaming city leadership for the wildfire destruction.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
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The Pope also used his letter to issue the strongest papal condemnation of anti-migrant politics in years, sharply criticize modern capitalism and suggest climate destruction is a moral crime against the poor.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Noun
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The Hornets thrived all season by creating havoc on the base paths.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
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Federico Chiesa Even though injuries have played havoc with Liverpool’s attack, Chiesa has been unable to secure a more meaningful role.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
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In that loss, USC stranded 13 runners, struck out 12 times and left men in scoring position in each of the first seven innings.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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The Trojans followed that with three consecutive singles to load the bases and chase Ciscar, who pitched two-plus innings of relief after logging just two outs as Miami’s starter in Saturday’s blowout loss to Florida.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Instant extinctions are not limited to mechanical innovations like photography and cinematography, however.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
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Google Search is becoming an answer engine For Nicholas Bouliane, a software developer who runs the site All About Berlin, the prospect of Google answering users’ questions directly feels close to an extinction-level event already.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Noun
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The Knicks closed out Atlanta with an unprecedented 51-point demolition in Game 6 of the first round.—
Kristian Winfield,
Sun Sentinel,
25 May 2026
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The Knicks closed out Atlanta with an unprecedented 51-point demolition in Game 6 of the first round.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastation. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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