as in disastrous
causing or tending to cause destruction
a devastating blow to our morale
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ravaging
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
the city was devastated, first by the earthquake and then by fires
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in destroying
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 overwhelming
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 devastating
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 July 2026
After the devastating January 2025 firestorm, plans have been submitted or work has begun on at least 13 single-family lots that would create subdivisions for multifamily housing, according to Altadena Recovery Watch, a group of fire survivors.
—
Seamus Bozeman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2026
But for Bericoto, of Maracay, Venezuela, the news of Wednesday evening’s pair of devastating earthquakes in his home country have made the moment bittersweet.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
Yet the genre spawned one of the most devastating diss tracks of all time.
—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 July 2026
After the devastating January 2025 firestorm, plans have been submitted or work has begun on at least 13 single-family lots that would create subdivisions for multifamily housing, according to Altadena Recovery Watch, a group of fire survivors.
—
Seamus Bozeman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Verb
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
But for Bericoto, of Maracay, Venezuela, the news of Wednesday evening’s pair of devastating earthquakes in his home country have made the moment bittersweet.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
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The last time Rushing caught Ohtani, the pitcher took over pitch-calling after a disastrous second inning against the Twins last week.
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Since his disastrous tenure with the New York Yankees from 2016 to 2022, which included a suspension for violating MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy, Chapman has worked to turn around his career.
Verb
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Forty years ago, when the AIDS epidemic was ravaging New York, some Southern Baptists described it as God’s judgment—a punishment for its victims’ life style.
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Temperatures have risen in oceans faster due to climate change, super-charging storms and drought, ravaging coral reefs across the world, and endangering species in tandem with overfishing and industrial pollution.
Verb
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Mexican fruit flies are one of the world’s most destructive pests when laying their eggs, destroying or damaging fruit such as apples, grapefruits, avocados, peaches and pears, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
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But Blue Origin suffered a major setback in May when one of its New Glenn rockets abruptly exploded on the launchpad, destroying vital infrastructure that will take months to rebuild.
Verb
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This geometric rug adds visual interest without overwhelming your existing furniture and decor.
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Use plants with similar sun and soil needs to complement dahlias without overwhelming them.
Adjective
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Historically, the country has experienced destructive earthquakes, including the 1967 Caracas earthquake, which killed hundreds and caused severe damage in the capital.
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Since her passing, Sonoma County experienced the most destructive wildfires in California history in 2017, only for another, more destructive fire to surpass it a year later.
Verb
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SpaceX’s record-shattering IPO has minted thousands of new millionaires, unleashing a wave of high-end home shoppers poised to reshape Southern California’s already tight coastal housing markets.
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The record-shattering heat waves in Europe last week and in the western US in March are two recent examples.
Verb
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Forward-looking firms are overcoming this by deploying advanced technical strategies.
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Normal matter can’t be stuffed into a space tiny and dense enough without overcoming a huge outward pressure.
Adjective
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At the same time, vaccination rates have declined, worrying experts that more people could become vulnerable to this potentially deadly but preventable infection.
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The suspect, who has not yet been identified by police, was arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of 22-year-old Nasir Majied on Friday, June 5.
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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