Synonyms of devastation

devastation

noun

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

• destruction
• havoc
• loss
• extinction
• demolition
• extermination
• annihilation
• obliteration
• decimation
• wreckage
• desolation
• ruin
• wastage
• ruination
• collapse
• demolishment
• disintegration
• mincemeat
• depredation
• massacre
• slaughter
• breakup
• despoliation
• despoilment
• dissolution
• execution
• killing
• assassination
• eradication
• dismantlement
• effacement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• construction
• building
• erection
• salvation
• saving
• rescue
• raising
• protection
• salvage
• conservation
• preservation
• restoration
• reconstruction
• reclamation
• renovation
• remodeling
• re-creation
• refurbishment
• regeneracy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of devastation

Once there, staring at the devastation, there was no denying the reality of death. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026

That moment came after floodwaters caused the Guadalupe River to rise to historic levels in the early morning hours of Independence Day, bringing death and devastation to Kerr County and the surrounding area. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Survivors find shelter in Kathmandu Some flood survivors are fleeing the devastation to seek shelter in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. — Shristi Kafle, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Some flood survivors are fleeing the devastation to seek shelter in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

And then she gets deadnamed by Courtney, and she gets outed for being Fern, and the devastation that causes. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Videos of the immigration center taken the same morning show devastation as flood waters crashed into building and swept away people and roads. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Hunter said it’s been sad to see photos of the devastation wrought by the fire. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026

The devastation from the flash floods that hit Nepal Wednesday is being felt in New York City. — Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026