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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastating
Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Beautiful, devastating, delicious.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Jake Scott, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Rubella, also called German measles, is mild in children but devastating to fetuses, causing deafness, heart defects and intellectual disabilities when pregnant women are infected.
—Jake Scott, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
Vonn had faced questions about her decision to race on a torn ACL, a devastating injury that has ended athletic seasons for scores of athletes, recently for the NBA’s Jimmy Butler, the NFL’s Micah Parsons and the WNBA’s Cameron Brink.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Beautiful, devastating, delicious.
—Stephanie Bai, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Rubella, also called German measles, is mild in children but devastating to fetuses, causing deafness, heart defects and intellectual disabilities when pregnant women are infected.
—Jake Scott, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Rubella, also called German measles, is mild in children but devastating to fetuses, causing deafness, heart defects and intellectual disabilities when pregnant women are infected.
—Jake Scott, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
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However, despite his thin background, when the financial crisis of that decade broke out, Warsh was by all accounts knowledgeable and effective in the Fed’s efforts to prevent a disastrous meltdown of financial markets.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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Political commentator Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and first-time candidate, made the argument to viewers that California’s problems have been caused by the disastrous policies of the people who have been in power during 16 years of one-party – Democratic party – rule.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This is a chilling history of a problem still ravaging significant swaths of America — not to mention elsewhere in the world.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
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Her consistent binge sessions are ravaging her spirit.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But when the other side is destroying it, there are worse things to be than the alternative.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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The European Union is moving forward with its ban on destroying unsold clothing, footwear and accessories.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While the larger Mallorca sees nearly 2 million visitors every August, and Menorca just around 350,000 visitors, Molina estimates Mallorca could see a million tourists that week, potentially overwhelming the Sierra de Tramuntana's fragile mountain roads.—
Ryan Craggs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
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The camera plan itself was designed to balance intimacy with scale, without overwhelming either the viewer or the climber.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The first was late January’s destructive snow and ice storm that tracked across the South and then up along the East Coast.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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But sometimes our most destructive adversary is within us.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But a drone had hit one of its salons, shattering a heating pipe and flooding the premises.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
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The new Wade is an endlessly wisecracking chatterbox, shattering the fourth wall with gleeful abandon.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jones said her journey to reach this point has been defined by overcoming adversity and a devotion to family.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
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Medical experts and public health leaders say overcoming hesitancy is key in preventing further spread in and around Charlotte, and preventing the rise of other infectious diseases.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The mist dissipates around a room instead of spewing out like a wet stream, which keeps Alpert worry-free about ruining her wooden bed frame.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
6 Feb. 2026
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In fact, for some items, a standard cold wash can be ruining.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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