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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of devastate
When the 55-year-old lab technician from the Northeast received news in October 2024 that his cousin suffered a fatal heart attack, he was devastated.
—
Ella Chakarian,
Rolling Stone,
28 June 2026
Losing the mill would devastate the half-million residents for whom the Gary area still feels like a company town.
—
John Lippert,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
The South Florida community — home to the largest Venezuelan diaspora in the United States — is rallying to deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes devastated the country Wednesday evening.
—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
27 June 2026
Teams from California to Florida are helping Venezuelans rebound from devastating earthquakes that killed nearly 1,500 people, according to the latest death toll figures authorities announced on Saturday.
—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Ella Chakarian,
Rolling Stone,
28 June 2026
Losing the mill would devastate the half-million residents for whom the Gary area still feels like a company town.
—
John Lippert,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
The South Florida community — home to the largest Venezuelan diaspora in the United States — is rallying to deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes devastated the country Wednesday evening.
—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
27 June 2026
Teams from California to Florida are helping Venezuelans rebound from devastating earthquakes that killed nearly 1,500 people, according to the latest death toll figures authorities announced on Saturday.
—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
-
Shana McDiarmid and her now-boyfriend, Cameron, are another couple who benefitted from the foundation after their rental property was ravaged thanks to its proximity to the river.
-
Were civic centers nothing more than Trojan horses designed to ravage humanities departments across the nation?
Verb
-
The most common type of dementia, which destroys memory and cognitive function, was responsible for 116,022 deaths in 2024, NCHS data shows.
-
That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.
Verb
-
The city is recommending zoning regulations that fall in line with state statute while trying to calm residents who are worried data centers will overwhelm resources like water and energy and impose on their quality of life.
-
But the ownership group is overwhelmed by left-wing politics.
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
-
After all, plenty of cocktail enthusiasts already complain about mosquitoes ruining a summer evening.
Verb
-
The rookie point guard overcame early shooting struggles to lead all scorers with 25 points.
-
The telecommunications giant’s fight to end landline service is playing out in the FCC and federal court, amid an underlying battle over how much power the agency has to overcome decisions by states.
Verb
-
The East Wing of the White House was demolished suddenly in October 2025, and construction at the site, which will be the location of a new 22,000-square-foot ballroom, has continued through mid-2026.
-
Just months later, in October, the East Wing had been demolished without notice to make way for the new ballroom.
Verb
-
Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.
-
Republican Rick Jackson shattered spending records in Georgia by spending $108 million of his own money into his campaign for governor.
Verb
-
The good news is that dermatologists and makeup artists have figured out how to keep your SPF topped up without wrecking your foundation, blush or setting spray.
-
In the history of mankind, socialist success stories are as rare as triple plays in baseball, but plenty of countries have been wrecked by it — Venezuela and Cuba, to name just two.
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
