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
Guthrie thanked the president for taking the time to call and told him her family is devastated and needs prayers, NBC later reported.
—
Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
But at that time, I was just devastated and in awe.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
The series of events has left a sour taste in the mouth on Merseyside and McNeil devastated.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
In 2020, Minneapolis was devastated by unrest and the destruction that followed the police killing of George Floyd.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
But at that time, I was just devastated and in awe.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
The series of events has left a sour taste in the mouth on Merseyside and McNeil devastated.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
In 2020, Minneapolis was devastated by unrest and the destruction that followed the police killing of George Floyd.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
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Wildfires have also ravaged grasslands used to graze cattle, according to the White House.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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His family emigrated to escape the proxy Cold War conflicts that ravaged the nation from 1978 to 1990.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More than 12,000 scrolls were once stored inside this second-century center of learning before a fire destroyed them in 262 CE.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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Feeling bored, resentful and trapped by domestic life, Hedda hatches a plan to destroy her husband’s potential career rival, Eilert Lovberg, who happens to be her ex-lover.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Central Florida, activists still are hoping to overwhelm HLI Partners with their opposition to any sale.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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But when digital gargoyles start flying down from the ceiling, the horror-action mechanics Besson can’t help but include here overwhelm whatever intimacy his film had before.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Romero’s red card for a foul on Casemiro in the 29th minute of Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday ruined Frank’s game plan.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Applying baking soda to some surfaces or materials could ruin it, scratch it or lose its shine, according to the pros.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tian Feng, former dean of SenseTime’s Intelligence Industry Research Institute, revealed that the free provision of T800 robots will help smaller companies overcome research and development barriers.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
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The first obstacle to overcome is to develop a computer chip that works in the extreme conditions of space, which includes exposure to much higher levels of radiation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The former Portage Township Schools Administration building will be the first to be demolished this spring when workers begin preparing to build the new Aylesworth Middle School.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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The village is demolishing homes to make way for the redevelopment and will relocate residents elsewhere on campus, Timberlake said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When Mom reached Dad on the telephone in the White House pantry to commiserate over the earth-shattering news, Dad’s response was disbelieving.—
John Wrory Ficklin,
Time,
11 Feb. 2026
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But there are no predictions of record-shattering win totals this time – even as the Dodgers head into the season as favorites to three-peat.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lanni was sitting nearby at Sei Less when LaForte wrecked the witness’ table.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
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The barber chair, the locus of Sweeney’s revenge on the heartless cruelty of a Victorian London that wrecked his life, isn’t the elaborate contraption of other productions.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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