as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
the sheer devastation of the housing development by the forest fire
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Recent Examples of devastation
The environmental devastation left behind is immense.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Former reality television star and current Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt welcomed Mother’s Day with an emotional video highlighting the devastation of the 2025 California wildfires on his family.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 May 2026
The European Union unanimously agreed on Monday to impose new sanctions on the leaders of the Palestinian militant Hamas group and the Israeli settler movement, diplomats said, a decision sparked by growing outrage over the devastation in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.
—Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
People come and go and yet this desire to visit the lighthouse on the island persists; this idea of the trip survives some of the characters, and in a world in which so much is in flux, and there is so much devastation, the lighthouse remains constant.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
The devastation spread through the family afterward, Chunyan said.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
His parents quickly overcame their initial devastation.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 8 May 2026
Parker County commissioners voted Monday to allocate $4 million to help residents recover from the devastation wreaked by recent tornadoes.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
In visual journalism, The Times got a breaking news photography award for depicting devastation and starvation in Gaza resulting from Israel’s war in the territory.
—Jennifer Peltz, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Former reality television star and current Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt welcomed Mother’s Day with an emotional video highlighting the devastation of the 2025 California wildfires on his family.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 May 2026
The European Union unanimously agreed on Monday to impose new sanctions on the leaders of the Palestinian militant Hamas group and the Israeli settler movement, diplomats said, a decision sparked by growing outrage over the devastation in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.
—Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
People come and go and yet this desire to visit the lighthouse on the island persists; this idea of the trip survives some of the characters, and in a world in which so much is in flux, and there is so much devastation, the lighthouse remains constant.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
The devastation spread through the family afterward, Chunyan said.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
His parents quickly overcame their initial devastation.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 8 May 2026
Parker County commissioners voted Monday to allocate $4 million to help residents recover from the devastation wreaked by recent tornadoes.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
In visual journalism, The Times got a breaking news photography award for depicting devastation and starvation in Gaza resulting from Israel’s war in the territory.
—Jennifer Peltz, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastation
Noun
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Its offspring included Erebus (Darkness) and Nyx, who goes on to produce Ker (destruction), Thanatos (death), and Oizys (pain), among many others.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Comments under the brand's post showing a photo of the destruction show support for the cupcake bakery.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The inconsistent role wreaked havoc with his shot.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Just ask Panthers guard Robert Hunt, who has stories about Eagles fans climbing onto opposing team buses and wreaking havoc.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The index is back in the green after steep losses at the end of last week.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
Later this spring, the 1 X Vitahealth Medi Spa will open and offer things like hormone balancing, weight loss, nutritional consulting, and custom IV therapies.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Noun
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In fact, having double the chromosomes can ultimately impact a species' survival, leading to its extinction.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
19 May 2026
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Colossal said that beyond their de-extinction method, the hatched chicks are important because bird species are in sharp decline.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The president is leaning on the Senate to deliver $1 billion in new Secret Service funding — including $200 million associated with the demolition of the East Wing for his ballroom and other facilities — as part of a larger immigration enforcement funding bill.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
18 May 2026
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When that digital existence falls apart, the studio’s physical demolition is repurposed as the backdrop for a sci-fi production.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastation. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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