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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastation
Yet amid the loss, in the year since the devastation, the community has not faltered.
—
Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The result was economic devastation on a historic scale.
—Jorge Valencia, NPR, 5 Jan. 2026
The standings say yes, but some defeats carry sufficient emotional devastation to define a season and trigger difficult introspection.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
But in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, doing so now is especially meaningful.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
The storm also left devastation in Haiti, where at least 43 people died, and in Cuba.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
In her essay, Schlossberg made clear her devastation in bringing more grief to the family.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Related uses may include rehabilitation – particularly following the neurological devastation of a stroke – and cybernetic control of robotic arms, hands, legs, and feet.
—New Atlas, 29 Dec. 2025
January January 2025 will be remembered as the month that wildfires caused devastation in Hollywood, killing 31 people.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The result was economic devastation on a historic scale.
—Jorge Valencia, NPR, 5 Jan. 2026
The standings say yes, but some defeats carry sufficient emotional devastation to define a season and trigger difficult introspection.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
But in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, doing so now is especially meaningful.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
The storm also left devastation in Haiti, where at least 43 people died, and in Cuba.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
In her essay, Schlossberg made clear her devastation in bringing more grief to the family.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Related uses may include rehabilitation – particularly following the neurological devastation of a stroke – and cybernetic control of robotic arms, hands, legs, and feet.
—New Atlas, 29 Dec. 2025
January January 2025 will be remembered as the month that wildfires caused devastation in Hollywood, killing 31 people.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastation
Noun
-
Since the boycott, PEN has donated to Palestinian aid organizations, highlighted writers and journalists who have been targeted and killed by Israel, and released a report on the deliberate destruction of Palestinian cultural heritage.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Consumers and retailers should destroy affected products and not return them, as Gold Star will issue refunds with proof of destruction.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Christian Barmore created a little more havoc against the run and pass than usual, but his only pressure was contained to the second quarter.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Dewan shared Fillion's sense of the havoc Monica is likely to cause in season 8.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But those guards fell crashing down on Wednesday night in a brutally honest assessment of his team following Boise State’s (9-6, 1-3 Mountain West) 75-58 home loss to Grand Canyon (9-5, 2-1) at ExtraMile Arena.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Despite the losses, Damon traveled to Texas and won the national title, dedicating the victory to his family and supporters.—
Nina Burns,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That one saw John Garrity (Butler) maximizing his privilege by leading his estranged wife, Allison (Morena Baccarin), and their diabetic son, Nathan, to an extinction-proof shelter that had been reserved for people like them.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
8 Jan. 2026
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Although commercial whaling once pushed the species to the brink of extinction, fin whale populations in the Atlantic have shown signs of recovery in recent decades following international bans and protections under laws such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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To accommodate the demolition and removal of the bridge, temporary lane closures will occur for five nights on the lower/arrivals level at the airport, and for two nights on the upper/departure level.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In early 2025, the new owner submitted demolition permits to destroy the structures.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastation. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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