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
Rosie O'Donnell recalled her devastation over how her friendship with Ellen DeGeneres fell apart more than 20 years ago.
—
Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Indeed, moves toward open Saudi diplomatic recognition of Israel were stopped by Hamas’ attack and the global backlash that followed Israel’s ongoing devastation of Gaza.
—David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
The story grabbed him thematically too, given the increasing devastation caused by wildfires and other environmental catastrophes.
—Tomris Laffly, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
This is not just the violence of batons or bullets, but the quieter devastation inflicted by law through denial, deferral or bureaucratic neglect.
—Hansel Alejandro Aguilar, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
So not to highlight the devastation, but to highlight the act of courage that Mary and Kevin were able to perform in the face of awful tragedy and fear.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Residents in Chinese Camp describe the devastation to their small foothills town about 60 miles west of Yosemite National Park.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
Congregant Rita Cartwright is convinced the building was otherwise spared from devastation because a prayer group at the church recently returned from hiatus.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025
And that's not where the worst of the devastation lies.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Indeed, moves toward open Saudi diplomatic recognition of Israel were stopped by Hamas’ attack and the global backlash that followed Israel’s ongoing devastation of Gaza.
—David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
The story grabbed him thematically too, given the increasing devastation caused by wildfires and other environmental catastrophes.
—Tomris Laffly, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
This is not just the violence of batons or bullets, but the quieter devastation inflicted by law through denial, deferral or bureaucratic neglect.
—Hansel Alejandro Aguilar, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
So not to highlight the devastation, but to highlight the act of courage that Mary and Kevin were able to perform in the face of awful tragedy and fear.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Residents in Chinese Camp describe the devastation to their small foothills town about 60 miles west of Yosemite National Park.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025
Congregant Rita Cartwright is convinced the building was otherwise spared from devastation because a prayer group at the church recently returned from hiatus.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025
And that's not where the worst of the devastation lies.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastation
Noun
-
Critical wildlife habitat may be put at risk for alteration or wholesale destruction.—
Ryan Gellert,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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But tenants have little legal footing to stand on in combating that destruction.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While not all of the federal government’s tariff revenue is at risk, losing a huge chunk would still create havoc on the deficit and bond market.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Steve gently coaxes him back to school, where the film crew is causing havoc.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Nate Faanes, found the right lineup combinations in Saturday night’s loss, even without starting defensive linemen Jaylon Johnson and DJ Burgess, the latter being out for the season with an upper-body injury.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Florida Democrats, weakened by years of losses and fractured messaging, continue to face a shrinking electorate.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The story of the American lion is a tale of power, survival and eventual extinction.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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He was not involved in the latest research but has studied trends in insect extinction, noting that many insect genera have survived mass extinctions unscathed.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There is nothing to choose between them, but there was a consistency, clinical edge and an abracadabra touch that made this performance the best Alcaraz has played in a major final, barring that 2024 demolition of Novak Djokovic on Centre Court.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Historic districts come with additional rules and regulations for renovations, construction and demolitions.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastation. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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