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 floods have devastated local economies and communities.
—
Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
Ahmed said that pressure has nonetheless mounted on Gazans, and that many were further devastated to return north and find their homes turned to rubble.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Taylor Hawkins unexpectedly died three years ago in a Colombian hotel room
5 Comments
Fans of the Foo Fighters were devastated to learn of the untimely death of their longtime drummer, Oliver Taylor Hawkins on March 25, 2022.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Last year, parts of the U.S. were devastated by hurricanes such as Helene and Milton.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
Ahmed said that pressure has nonetheless mounted on Gazans, and that many were further devastated to return north and find their homes turned to rubble.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Taylor Hawkins unexpectedly died three years ago in a Colombian hotel room
5 Comments
Fans of the Foo Fighters were devastated to learn of the untimely death of their longtime drummer, Oliver Taylor Hawkins on March 25, 2022.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Last year, parts of the U.S. were devastated by hurricanes such as Helene and Milton.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
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Myanmar, which has been facing tough times since the military coup in 2021—as well as being ravaged by a recent earthquake—faces 44 percent tariffs.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Apr. 2025
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Abroad, the killings have tanked the new authorities’ hopes of legitimizing their rule before the international community and of ending sanctions on a country ravaged by nearly 14 years of civil war.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Af Klint edited her own notebooks later in life, rewriting or destroying entire passages and exorcising biographical details.—
Jay Cheshes,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
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Helicopters dumped water over a burning forest in South Korea Thursday as fire crews struggled to contain the country's worst-ever wildfires, which have killed 28 people, forced at least 37,800 to flee their homes and destroyed thousands of structures and vehicles.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The book was a tale of heroic resistance, but stretched across so many years of television, the bursts of rebellion were overwhelmed by long periods of suffering.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
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In my opinion, today's consumers are overwhelmed by noise—too many offers, messages and distractions.—
Ali Payani,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Curtis left her job as a deputy in August 2023 and sued the county soon after, claiming in court documents that Anderson’s harassment ruined her reputation and career with the county.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2025
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The problem lies once kids become tech savvy and a simple Google search can ruin the fun.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Republicans will need Democratic support to overcome a 60-vote threshold to be able to pass the bill in the Senate.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
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After Republicans in the House and Senate had forged ahead on their own budget blueprints earlier this year, the Senate on Saturday adopted the compromise resolution, giving the House just days to overcome opposition and get it over the finish line before the recess.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The station shares a name with Spurs’ former home, which overlapped this site and was demolished as the modern structure, which opened in April 2019, was built.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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Though the interior of the building was demolished, the Art Deco facade was and is still considered a historical landmark and remains intact.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Over the past year, women’s sports have shattered viewership records.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Come October, the sound of a puck skimming across ice and players crashing into the boards surrounding a hockey rink may shatter the 2 1/2-year silence.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Part of the franchise’s challenge is to incorporate Leonard without wrecking team chemistry.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
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At least 6 people were killed in the storms in multiple states as destructive winds wrecked cars, tore down powerlines and sent people scrambling.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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