DEVASTATE Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'devastate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of devastate are despoil , pillage , ravage , sack , and waste . While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area. // an earthquake devastated the city

Q: In what contexts can 'despoil' take the place of 'devastate'?

While the synonyms despoil and devastate are close in meaning, despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction. // the Nazis despoiled the art museums

Q: How are the words 'pillage' and 'sack' related as synonyms of 'devastate'?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack . // settlements pillaged by Vikings

Q: When would 'ravage' be a good substitute for 'devastate'?

The words ravage and devastate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction. // a hurricane ravaged the coast

Q: Where would 'sack' be a reasonable alternative to 'devastate'?

Although the words sack and devastate have much in common, sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place. // barbarians sacked ancient Rome

Q: When is 'waste' a more appropriate choice than 'devastate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to devastate , waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action. // years of drought had wasted the area

devastate

verb

ˈde-və-ˌstāt

Definition of devastate next

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

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb devastate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of devastate are despoil, pillage, ravage, sack, and waste. While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

In what contexts can despoil take the place of devastate?

While the synonyms despoil and devastate are close in meaning, despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

How are the words pillage and sack related as synonyms of devastate?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.

settlements pillaged by Vikings

When would ravage be a good substitute for devastate?

The words ravage and devastate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

Where would sack be a reasonable alternative to devastate?

Although the words sack and devastate have much in common, sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

When is waste a more appropriate choice than devastate?

While in some cases nearly identical to devastate, waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

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 The pathogen, taking the form of a fungus-like microorganism (oomycete/water mold), has devastated potato and tomato plants throughout history. —

Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025 The Context Gun violence in schools continues to devastate communities and leave families shattered, sparking urgent calls for stronger safety measures as well as for a deeper national conversation about how to address the root causes of this escalating crisis. —

John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025 What Happened in Hawaii? In August 2023, the Hawaiian town of Lahaina, on the northwest coast of the island of Maui, was devastated by a raging wildfire which killed 102 people and displaced thousands. —

Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 Wildfires have devastated Southern California since early last week, leaving thousands of residents displaced, their homes reduced to ash and rubble. —

Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for devastate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate

Verb

The benefit concert, which was organized by Lindsey Hartman in response to the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles in January, also featured performances from Finneas, Courtney Barnett, the Luna Lunas, Lucy Dacus, St. Vincent, Perfume Genius, and more.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2025
The case has particular resonance in the wake of massive wildfires that ravaged the Los Angeles area last month, killing at least 29 people and destroying more than 16,000 structures.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2025