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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastate
By 2023, the pandemic had devastated Spirit’s finances.
—
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Her kids were devastated when the pool closed permanently.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
The Indiana Pacers were devastated not to get a pick after having the league’s second-worst record this season.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Reggie said that she and her husband, Allen Hong, were devastated by the prognosis.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
Her kids were devastated when the pool closed permanently.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
The Indiana Pacers were devastated not to get a pick after having the league’s second-worst record this season.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Reggie said that she and her husband, Allen Hong, were devastated by the prognosis.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
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When devastating floods ravaged central Texas last July, Shiflet gathered a crew and traveled two hours to spend days in the wreckage to help.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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This town of around 200 native Náhuatl people is among many in the central state of Guerrero ravaged by decades of fracturing rival criminal groups warring for territorial control.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The fire destroyed two structures — a cabin and an equipment shed — and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees, who were rescued by a Santa Barbara County Fire Department helicopter.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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Covers personal property used to secure a loan as collateral if it's destroyed.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Aging in ex-bourbon oak barrels adds vanilla and caramel notes without overwhelming the spirit’s lighter structure.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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To allow your anger at the cosmic unluckiness of a friend’s far-too-early passing be overwhelmed by your gratitude at the cosmic luckiness of ever having met them at all.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Since 2015, it has been held in ten different cities, including Las Vegas, where a red carpet was constructed atop the Bellagio’s fountain pool, and Nashville, where rowdy attendees ruined bachelorette parties on Broadway.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Many riads were in a state of disrepair, crammed with striking examples of traditional craftsmanship going to ruin.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The project comes on the heels of filmmaker Nina Lee and Will Packer discussing the rarity of You, Me & Tuscany alongside the hardships and hurdles that Black romance films must overcome in the industry from conception to funding to box office.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
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Despite the hurdles that must be overcome, many experts are pretty jazzed about the possibility of a lunar nuclear reactor.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
Verb
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There, on the Hudson River waterfront, David Wojnarowicz wrote poems and painted murals alongside Luis Frangella and Mike Bidlo, while Peter Hujar and Dirk Rowntree photographed scenes of impromptu happenings and performances, before the site was demolished in 1984.—
Natalia Torija,
Curbed,
14 May 2026
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Playing in Cincinnati, just about 100 miles away from his hometown of Louisville, Daylen Lile demolished a home run in the 10th inning on Wednesday to help the Washington Nationals earn an 8-7 comeback win over the Cincinnati Reds.—
Danielle Allentuck,
Washington Post,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Around the same time as the engagement photo shoots, the brides-to-be start mending their porcelain plates, which were ceremoniously shattered so the brides-to-be could mend them.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
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When her husband Karl finds her after years of searching, that hope is shattered, forcing her to return to Vienna – into a society that once sought to erase her.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The line was a wrecking crew that also managed to outscore the opposition.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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Bubba, by the way, was actually wrecked later in the race by John Hunter Nemechek.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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