1
as in to ravage
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
the city was devastated, first by the earthquake and then by fires
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
the explosion devastated an entire city block
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
we were devastated by the awful news of his death
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastate
The loss devastated the family, especially Neil, who entered his name for astronaut selection only a few months after her death.
—
Jackie Tempera, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Devastating losses In interviews with six homeowners who lost their houses to HOA foreclosures, an Observer reporter heard a common refrain: The experience financially devastated them.
—Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
At first, Tyrion's owner was devastated with her dog's diagnosis.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
The loss has brought yet another heartbreak for the Townsend family, stemming from the mass shooting that devastated this suburban Denver community 26 years ago.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Jackie Tempera, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Devastating losses In interviews with six homeowners who lost their houses to HOA foreclosures, an Observer reporter heard a common refrain: The experience financially devastated them.
—Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
At first, Tyrion's owner was devastated with her dog's diagnosis.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
The loss has brought yet another heartbreak for the Townsend family, stemming from the mass shooting that devastated this suburban Denver community 26 years ago.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
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Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that ravages bone, leaving distinctive holes in its wake.—
David Armstrong,
CNN Money,
10 May 2025
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Last year, the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene included ravaging a Baxter manufacturing plant in Marion, North Carolina, that produces 60 percent of the country's supply of IV solutions.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2025
Verb
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To allow these courts to be destroyed to make pickleball courts is just wrong.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2025
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Black residents had already been moving away because of gentrification before the fires and saw their homes severely damaged or destroyed at higher rates than other groups during the blaze.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
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Authorities said rushing water in a nearby creek overwhelmed the area.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Whatever the case, Indiana’s full-court pressure, physicality on the perimeter and timely shooting overwhelmed the Cavs at times and were enough to overcome early and late deficits at other points throughout the series.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Sonos is very, very sorry for ruining your speaker system.—
Boone Ashworth,
Wired News,
9 May 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Even before the latest crackdown, Florida Decides Healthcare and every other Florida initiative campaign had to overcome immense hurdles.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2025
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At the same time, the Clippers have to overcome being … well … the Clippers.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
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WIth Jarren Duran on first with a one-out single in the sixth, Devers demolished Lugo’s first pitch, a 91.8 mph four-seamer.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2025
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If anything, Gunther should absolutely demolish the beloved McAfee as a way of getting back on the right foot following a surprise submission defeat to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 40.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Verb
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O’Brien ranks 22nd in NCAA history in career caused turnovers with 160, which shatters Lacey Leigh Hentz’s previous school record of 146.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
10 May 2025
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His family confirmed his identity in a GoFundMe fundraiser, which has so far raised upwards of $35,000 to support his family, shattering its $5,000 goal.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
Verb
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That predecessor was wrecked May 9, 1980, when a freighter, lost in the vicious storm, broadsided the southbound span of the twin bridge and knocked down a 1,260-foot section of roadway.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
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They were meant to stop drivers from careening across who were wrecking his soybeans.—
Riley Robinson,
Christian Science Monitor,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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