1
as in to ravage
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 to destroy
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 to overwhelm
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 devastate
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for south central Texas, a week after the area was devastated by deadly flash floods.
—
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 12 July 2025
But to willingly accept second-class status would devastate their brands.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
The loss of trustworthiness in the rigorous and nonpartisan work of the Task Force would devastate patients, hospital systems, and payers as misinformation creates barriers to accessing lifesaving and cost effective care.
—ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
Last weekend, deadly floods devastated Texas, killing more than 100 people, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 12 July 2025
But to willingly accept second-class status would devastate their brands.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
The loss of trustworthiness in the rigorous and nonpartisan work of the Task Force would devastate patients, hospital systems, and payers as misinformation creates barriers to accessing lifesaving and cost effective care.
—ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
Last weekend, deadly floods devastated Texas, killing more than 100 people, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
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Those include a string of deadly tornadoes that swept through Kentucky in May, and some of the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles in January.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
10 July 2025
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Lowering the cost of eggs, which spiked in recent years as an avian flu outbreak ravaged American flocks, was one of President Donald Trump's key campaign promises in the lead-up to the 2024 election.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim wildfire: National Park Service says only hotel destroyed The Grand Canyon Lodge was the park's only hotel, according the National Park Service, with the next nearest lodgings roughly 18 miles away.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
14 July 2025
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The lawsuit alleges that Merit Street’s business partner, Trinity Broadcasting of Fort Worth, destroyed its television network and forced the bankruptcy declaration.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Still, on a partly sunny Saturday under a flood watch, dozens of volunteers overwhelmed a site near the Round Mountain Baptist Church outside of Leander, forcing traffic to a standstill as emergency personnel actively searched for missing people.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
13 July 2025
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Inside, a black and grey cat thrashes around, overwhelmed.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
12 July 2025
Verb
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The ceiling was now on the floor, the world had turned itself upside down, her outfit and her day and her rug were seemingly ruined—and yet she herself was not hurt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
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Now a wonderful memory of the occasion will be ruined in my memories.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
9 July 2025
Verb
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There can be ways to overcome the objections of the people who are concerned that new technology will make their jobs obsolete.—
Edward Segal,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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Meanwhile, a college in the U.K. has now stepped up and started offering classes on making and taking phone calls to help Gen Z overcome this fear.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
4 July 2025
Verb
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It was held at Isaza’s grandparents’ house, which was about to be demolished.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
10 July 2025
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An existing, 38,000-square-foot building on the site will be demolished in that development.—
Corina Vanek,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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But the resulting scandal shatters her reputation, as well as that of Nina’s teenage daughter, Clara.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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In those terrifying moments, Ryan shattered a window in a final attempt to get his family out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Day camp providers and schools are warning that a Trump administration funding freeze could wreck summer for low-income American families and wipe out some after-school programming next year.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 July 2025
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Social media is abuzz with Tatsuki's prophecy of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami wrecking her home country of Japan -- a place prone to natural disasters but also a top destination for many in Asia -- sometime between July 5 and 7.—
Britt Clennett,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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