as in disastrous
causing or tending to cause destruction
a devastating blow to our morale
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ravaging
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
the city was devastated, first by the earthquake and then by fires
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in destroying
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 overwhelming
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 devastating
Brady Africk, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Langlois — a Canadian VFX visionary responsible for the tech that made movies like Jurassic Park possible — and his partner Marchand collaborated not only on Coulibri Ridge, but also rebuilding jetties, a primary school, and coral reefs after the devastating 2017 storm.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
This impact triggered a tsunami up to 100 meters (328 feet) high, devastating the area and causing the creation of the Silverpit crater.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
These images suggested a more potent Iranian military response to devastating strikes than what Tehran was actually able to muster.
—Brady Africk, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Langlois — a Canadian VFX visionary responsible for the tech that made movies like Jurassic Park possible — and his partner Marchand collaborated not only on Coulibri Ridge, but also rebuilding jetties, a primary school, and coral reefs after the devastating 2017 storm.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Oil was discovered there in the 1920s, and the county went through booms and busts for decades, enriching wildcatters and devastating the landscape, until a lasting bust left Loving County a virtual wasteland with no running water, paved roads, schools, hospitals, or grocery stores.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
This impact triggered a tsunami up to 100 meters (328 feet) high, devastating the area and causing the creation of the Silverpit crater.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
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Since the election, Democrats have worked to recruit candidates and relay messaging with the goal of resonating with voters after a disastrous 2024.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Oct. 2025
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Report Despite a disastrous start to the season, the Ravens hope to turn around their fortunes by beating a Bears team on a four-game winning streak.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the late seventies, heroin began ravaging Dublin’s inner-city projects.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
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Hatred, spread through rhetoric, populism and the internet, acts like a virus, ravaging any healthy social organism and bringing, death, destruction and pain.—
Alejandro González Iñárritu,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Continue reading … HISTORY HYPOCRITES – Hawley turns tables on reporter when asked if White House renovation is destroying history.—
,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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Saving Denji’s life, Pochita and the young man make a deal to fuse, imbuing him with the ability to turn parts of his body into Devil-destroying chainsaws.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Elderly patients deserve products that soothe without overwhelming.—
Jahan Marcu,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
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There's also the Manhattan Beach Pier that has a small aquarium and adds a unique centerpiece without overwhelming the coastline.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Aerial drones have dominated attention for the sheer numbers deployed and their destructive power.—
Anastasiia Malenko,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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If your dog is anxious or destructive, avoid leaving them alone at all, and consider hiring local dog-sitting services if needed.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement The past few years have seen record-shattering global sea surface temperatures, which helps strengthen storms.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
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Viewers are dropped into the aftermath of an unnamed personal conflict and must work out over the course of the runtime the stakes of the situation, a highwire act handled deftly by the actors whose tender performances provide the emotional impact of the film’s shattering final sequence.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Penix and London, along with Bijan Robinson, have been heavily involved in Atlanta's offense this season, so regardless of who the opponent is missing, overcoming the loss of your starting quarterback and leading pass catcher will be a tough task.—
Cameron Belcher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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But there's also a lot of stories of people overcoming a lot of obstacles, and that's synonymous with what Kayla has done.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Chiefs have seen some of league’s premier running backs — such as Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs — and have met each challenge, preventing those elite players from ruining the defensive game plan.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
26 Oct. 2025
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Clark reiterated his belief that the Dodgers are not ruining baseball.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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