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
First there was Alexander Bublik, whaling his racket into the green court behind the baseline against Rinky Hijikata with abandon and devastation.
—
James Hansen, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The balance Jean strikes between devastation and liberation emphasizes the appreciation one brings to the other.
—Larisha Paul, VIBE.com, 9 Mar. 2026
And though the devastation wrought by last year’s fire was unprecedented in its scale, the Schneiders remain optimistic about the future of their beloved enclave and its plucky local paper.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
The balance Jean strikes between devastation and liberation emphasizes the appreciation one brings to the other.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
After winning the 2018 World Series as manager of the Boston Red Sox, Alex Cora skipped the White House visit in 2019 to prioritize Puerto Rico, citing dissatisfaction with the federal government’s response to Hurricane Maria’s devastation.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Look to the devastation of defenseless cities in Gaza, Lebanon, or much of Syria.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
In addition to unleashing intense winds, Melissa produced catastrophic flooding, destructive storm surge and widespread economic devastation.
—Jacqueline Charles, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
Newsom’s comments come in light of the devastation in Gaza and the ongoing war with Iran.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026
James Hansen, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The balance Jean strikes between devastation and liberation emphasizes the appreciation one brings to the other.
—Larisha Paul, VIBE.com, 9 Mar. 2026
And though the devastation wrought by last year’s fire was unprecedented in its scale, the Schneiders remain optimistic about the future of their beloved enclave and its plucky local paper.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
The balance Jean strikes between devastation and liberation emphasizes the appreciation one brings to the other.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
After winning the 2018 World Series as manager of the Boston Red Sox, Alex Cora skipped the White House visit in 2019 to prioritize Puerto Rico, citing dissatisfaction with the federal government’s response to Hurricane Maria’s devastation.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Look to the devastation of defenseless cities in Gaza, Lebanon, or much of Syria.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
In addition to unleashing intense winds, Melissa produced catastrophic flooding, destructive storm surge and widespread economic devastation.
—Jacqueline Charles, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
Newsom’s comments come in light of the devastation in Gaza and the ongoing war with Iran.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastation
Noun
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Washington has no answer to any of these questions – only a theory of destruction.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
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Jalloh’s lengthy criminal history includes more than 30 arrests for charges of rape, assault, drug possession, property destruction, identity theft, trespassing, firing a weapon, grand larceny, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and pickpocketing.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Saudi Arabia has stepped up direct engagement with Iran to try and contain a war in the Middle East that is causing havoc and stressing global markets, according to several European officials.—
Donato Paolo Mancini,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
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The change launches biannual arguments about the practice, wrecks havoc on sleep and has inspired voters to go to California polls.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Mavs rookie Cooper Flagg was assessed the first technical foul of his NBA career during Dallas’ loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.—
R.J. Coyle,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
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Detroit is in the middle of a rough patch with four straight losses, but still holds the East’s top record at 45-18.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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If not stopped it has the potential to cause an extinction-level global ice age.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
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To save men’s basketball without putting football on a road to extinction was thought to be impossible in June 2018, by which time Dan Hurley was hired to replace Ollie, when UConn joined the Big East.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His Eagle project was the demolition of some old baseball dugouts in Glendale, said Darin Life, former committee chairman for Troop 221.—
ALLEN G. BREED,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
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His Eagle project was the demolition of some old baseball dugouts in Glendale, said Darin Life, former committee chairman for Troop 221.—
Allen G. Breed,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastation. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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