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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 devastation
Last week, Seriesly Berlin took the bold step of hosting a panel that featured Israeli and Palestinian creatives talking about collaboration, creativity and how the October 7, 2023 attacks and the devastation in Gaza has impacted them personally and professionally.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
On BookTok, reading the fic — and chronicling the devastation of the reading experience — became a right of passage within the Harry Potter fanfic community.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Arvind Shukla, a journalist from local media outlet NewsPolti, told ABC News that the devastation from the floods has been widespread and that most of the districts that grow basmati have been severely impacted.
—Rajeev Tyagi, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
The opening was his culinary return to the island; his last restaurant closed because of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria eight years ago.
—Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
There was a notable exception to the devastation in the Palisades.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Momo watches from a distance, and the devastation leads her to crush a piece of Nanoskin in her hand, which briefly forms a heart before melting away as her home explodes behind her.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
The devastation was swift and heartbreaking and resulted in one of the worst natural disasters in the area’s history.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
At festivals, word of mouth travels fast, and before long, a movie that promises complete emotional devastation becomes the hottest ticket in town.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
On BookTok, reading the fic — and chronicling the devastation of the reading experience — became a right of passage within the Harry Potter fanfic community.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Arvind Shukla, a journalist from local media outlet NewsPolti, told ABC News that the devastation from the floods has been widespread and that most of the districts that grow basmati have been severely impacted.
—Rajeev Tyagi, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025
The opening was his culinary return to the island; his last restaurant closed because of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria eight years ago.
—Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
There was a notable exception to the devastation in the Palisades.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Momo watches from a distance, and the devastation leads her to crush a piece of Nanoskin in her hand, which briefly forms a heart before melting away as her home explodes behind her.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
The devastation was swift and heartbreaking and resulted in one of the worst natural disasters in the area’s history.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
At festivals, word of mouth travels fast, and before long, a movie that promises complete emotional devastation becomes the hottest ticket in town.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastation
Noun
-
The data analysis also ignores injuries and property destruction in non-fatal attacks as measures of political violence.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Later, there is caper-like comedy at a funeral home, which then sobers in a poignant tete-a-tete between Yun-ji and Min-yeong, astute revelations of the broken homes that shaped our young heroines, a climactic riot of slapstick destruction at an emergency school meeting and more.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Since then, Parsons has made his presence known, causing havoc for the Packers' opponents thus far.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Offensive line woes help Falcons cause havoc There were other issues leading to the problems that McCarthy faced, including injuries to backup left tackle Justin Skule and center Ryan Kelly.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Premier League clubs are overwhelmingly loss-making even with those huge broadcast revenues.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The high-tech formula is powered by a proprietary peptide-and-vitamin-C complex designed to help prevent hair loss.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Within two decades of this writing, massive hurricanes and wildfires will be the norm, coastal cities will be inundated and perhaps abandoned, the planet’s sixth great extinction will continue unabated.—
Ed Simon
September 24,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Using Gaia's measurements of how the thick interstellar dust blocks starlight — a process known as extinction — astronomers can trace both the location and density of the dust clouds.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The theater closed and was slated for demolition.—
Dan Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
21 Sep. 2025
-
The transaction will close as soon as demolition is complete, Sherman said.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastation. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share