as in destroyed
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1
as in ravaged
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
the city was devastated, first by the earthquake and then by fires
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ruined
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
the explosion devastated an entire city block
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in overwhelmed
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
we were devastated by the awful news of his death
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastated
Judy Berman, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
In just a few hours, the closing announcement attracted hundreds of comments and shares from devastated loyal customers who said the pizza has been a mainstay at local events since their youth.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Structural adjustment programs devastated social services through budget cuts and user fees, creating barriers for the poor to access basic health care and education, while the liberalization of mining sectors caused severe environmental degradation and health crises.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastated
Adjective
That the Fendons don’t think to immediately tell their devastated adult son, Harry (Craig Roberts), that his dad is still alive is only the first delightfully absurd wrinkle in this mischievous black comedy.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
In just a few hours, the closing announcement attracted hundreds of comments and shares from devastated loyal customers who said the pizza has been a mainstay at local events since their youth.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
Cheney Hills Principal Cheryl Waddell said in a letter to parents that the school community is devastated by Nathy’s death.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Structural adjustment programs devastated social services through budget cuts and user fees, creating barriers for the poor to access basic health care and education, while the liberalization of mining sectors caused severe environmental degradation and health crises.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastated
Verb
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Those playoff hopes are gone, with the Panthers all but mathematically eliminated from postseason contention as injuries ravaged their roster and kept them on the outside looking in of the playoff picture all season.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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The displaced here have fled the drought that has ravaged swaths of this Horn of Africa nation after four failed rain seasons.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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First Baptist Dallas will break ground on its new sanctuary on Sunday, June 7, after a massive fire destroyed the church's 134-year-old sanctuary in the summer of 2024, the church announced on Sunday.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The diplomat also said that the IDF’s targeting of bridges along Lebanon’s Litani River has destroyed vital infrastructure connecting the south to the rest of the country.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her husband said in a statement the family is overwhelmed by community support as the search intensifies.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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Ultimately, the Gophers — making their first NCAA tournament since 2018, and first Sweet 16 since 2005 — were overwhelmed by their Big Ten rival’s size and experience.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His choices allow the viewer to drink in the intimate details of the ruined world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But the events of late 1957 shattered that perception and focused the attention of American politicians and military officials more sharply on the final frontier.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2026
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And not just broken, but shattered.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In San Francisco, the wrecked husk of the Golden Gate Bridge looms in the background as a perpetual reminder that this isn’t quite our history.—
Zaki Hasan,
San Francisco Chronicle,
24 Feb. 2026
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Helicopter footage showed the man darting out from the wrecked Charger in a black T-shirt and white shorts.—
Jacob Beltran,
San Antonio Express-News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It was demolished to make way for a 7,000 square-foot gallery that opened in April 2022 at MCASD.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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The building appears to have been demolished with twisted metal, bricks and other debris littering the site.—
Moriah Thomas,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Keep damaged plants moist and apply fertilizer as growth resumes.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2026
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Tehran province, with more than 50 damaged sites, topped the list in terms of losses, Seyyed Ahmad Alavi said in a message on Telegram.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastated. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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