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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastation
What remains is devastation at an almost unimaginable scale.
—
Kara Fox, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
The devastation was so severe that rebuilding and recovery seemed years away.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025
The scale and suddenness of the devastation shocked ecologists and the public alike.
—JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
Shadi Abu Sido, a Palestinian photojournalist who was among those released from an Israeli prison on Monday, said he was shocked by the widespread devastation that has occurred in Gaza since he was detained in March 2024.
—Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
And maybe, at least a few of the animals knew the storm would wreak some devastation.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Behind Sarnow and Common Council members, employees used equipment to lift a wrecked SUV with its left front side smashed in, a somber reminder of the devastation caused by reckless driving.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
The fighting has also contributed to environmental devastation.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
After two years of images of war and devastation, the pictures coming from Israel were of joy, as families were reunited with the remaining 20 hostages.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
Kara Fox, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
The devastation was so severe that rebuilding and recovery seemed years away.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025
The scale and suddenness of the devastation shocked ecologists and the public alike.
—JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
Shadi Abu Sido, a Palestinian photojournalist who was among those released from an Israeli prison on Monday, said he was shocked by the widespread devastation that has occurred in Gaza since he was detained in March 2024.
—Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
And maybe, at least a few of the animals knew the storm would wreak some devastation.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Behind Sarnow and Common Council members, employees used equipment to lift a wrecked SUV with its left front side smashed in, a somber reminder of the devastation caused by reckless driving.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
The fighting has also contributed to environmental devastation.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
After two years of images of war and devastation, the pictures coming from Israel were of joy, as families were reunited with the remaining 20 hostages.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastation
Noun
-
The viral photos and videos of the destruction have elicited strong emotions for many Americans.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
As time passes, pressure increases, communication falters, and every decision carries the weight of potential destruction.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To better understand how these storms can wreak so much havoc, our research team created simulations to show how storms interact with Earth’s natural magnetic shield and trigger the dangerous geomagnetic activity that can shut down electric grids.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The purpose of this drug production is the sale of massive amounts of product into the United States, causing death, destruction, and havoc.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Toronto Blue Jays bounced back from a tough Game 3 loss to even the World Series at two games apiece following a 6-2 Game 4 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.—
Wayne Sterling,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
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The situation could result in potential discipline for the Ravens, ranging from fines or loss of draft picks to possible suspensions if the NFL determines a serious violation occurred.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Before getting protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1970, North Atlantic right whales were hunted commercially, which led to their near extinction in the early 1900s, according to the Marine Mammal Commission.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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But over exploitation often followed, leading to depletions and extinctions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The images that emerged last week of the sudden demolition of the White House’s entire East Wing have inspired an array of feelings.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
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Trump’s recent demolition of the East Wing to construct a new multimillion-dollar ballroom has sparked a wave of criticism, including from historians and preservation groups.—
Dominick Mastrangelo,
The Hill,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastation. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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