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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastating
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
The Buccaneers' defense, armed with Gruden's insights and featuring future Hall of Famers Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, and John Lynch, overwhelmed Oakland's offense in a devastating 48-21 defeat.
—Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Trump has attempted to crack down on pro-Palestinian campus protests against U.S. ally Israel's devastating military assault on Gaza, which has caused a humanitarian crisis in the enclave and followed a deadly October 2023 attack by Islamist group Hamas.
—Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
This is creating a water boom as the ice melts, but it will inevitably be followed by a devastating water bust as the glaciers all but disappear, which scientists estimate could happen by the end of the 21st century.
—Ari Caramanica, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
This detonation will spew material at the other white dwarf, triggering the same devastating sequence.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
The Buccaneers' defense, armed with Gruden's insights and featuring future Hall of Famers Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, and John Lynch, overwhelmed Oakland's offense in a devastating 48-21 defeat.
—Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Trump has attempted to crack down on pro-Palestinian campus protests against U.S. ally Israel's devastating military assault on Gaza, which has caused a humanitarian crisis in the enclave and followed a deadly October 2023 attack by Islamist group Hamas.
—Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
This is creating a water boom as the ice melts, but it will inevitably be followed by a devastating water bust as the glaciers all but disappear, which scientists estimate could happen by the end of the 21st century.
—Ari Caramanica, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
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Economists and experts in foreign policy, trade, and business are warning that this approach could be disastrous and potentially land the country in significant stagflation, in which the economy would see a major slowdown, inflation would rise, and unemployment might also head upward.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Mannes said the compromise child care bill could have disastrous implications.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The most pressing problem concerns European Union rules on carbon dioxide emissions, with bottom-line-destroying fines for the bigger failures.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
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At this point, most of the surveys are showing roughly seventy per cent of Israelis would prefer a hostage deal to whatever the alternative is, like destroying Hamas by any means.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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White corn is particularly popular among craft distilleries, as the mild flavor of its whiskeys allows other mash bill components, such as rye or barley, and the influence of barrel aging to shine without overwhelming the palate.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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Some popular online sites might be difficult to access or overwhelming for some age groups to navigate, but a physical card for a physical store could be a better fit.—
Felecia Wellington Radel,
USA TODAY,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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As Magazine Dreams progresses, Maddox descends further into his antisocial tendencies and grows more destructive.—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
4 Apr. 2025
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Prior to his return to play, he will be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Which program will pay the most for the valuable service of demolishing them?—
Sam Blum,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
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His endless highlight reel will be one of the lasting stories of the 2024 college football season — a sledgehammer in shoulder pads, demolishing defenders in his path.—
Justin Williams,
The Athletic,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what led to the deadly incident.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
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Trump has attempted to crack down on pro-Palestinian campus protests against U.S. ally Israel's devastating military assault on Gaza, which has caused a humanitarian crisis in the enclave and followed a deadly October 2023 attack by Islamist group Hamas.—
Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This prequel flashes back to a previous Christmas in Los Angeles, when their unintentional destruction of a Santa Claus parade balloon put the city on edge, wrecking the gang's plans for a massive Yuletide bank robbery.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 Dec. 2024
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The vocalist’s sole concerns related to the natural environment, the animal kingdom and humankind’s responsibility for wrecking our only home.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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