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
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Turmoil continues in Haiti The Obama administration granted TPS to Haiti in 2010, after a devastating magnitude 7.1 earthquake destroyed the Haitian capital.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2025
Bass cited Crowley’s response to last month’s devastating wildfires in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods that destroyed thousands of homes and killed 29 people.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to see Canada become the US’ 51st state, jabbed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and threatened massive tariffs that would have a devastating effect on Canada’s economy.
—Homero De La Fuente, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
But the complex soon caved under devastating poverty and violence.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Turmoil continues in Haiti The Obama administration granted TPS to Haiti in 2010, after a devastating magnitude 7.1 earthquake destroyed the Haitian capital.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2025
Bass cited Crowley’s response to last month’s devastating wildfires in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods that destroyed thousands of homes and killed 29 people.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to see Canada become the US’ 51st state, jabbed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and threatened massive tariffs that would have a devastating effect on Canada’s economy.
—Homero De La Fuente, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
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Thuney, who was traded to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick in 2026, held up fairly well — even earning team MVP honors — until the disastrous Super Bowl LIX when Patrick Mahomes was sacked six times and hit five more.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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According to a study by Beacon Economics, this has been particularly disastrous for workers, ages 16 to 19.—
Matt Fleming,
Orange County Register,
8 Mar. 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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As a series of explosions could be heard destroying the structure's support pillars, causing the old hotel to fall inward, the crowd of onlookers are heard in the video erupting in cheers.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
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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Among filmmakers, it was seen as a potentially destructive maneuver—the silver left on the negative could damage it over time.—
Stephania Taladrid,
The New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2025
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The problem is that this will require Trump to consistently channel his best geopolitical instincts when he will be sorely tempted to follow his most destructive ones instead.—
HAL BRANDS,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 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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General Motors is preparing to move out, and an ambitious redevelopment vision that would involve demolishing two RenCen towers is said to hinge on a commitment of public financing support — one that hasn't been forthcoming so far.—
JC Reindl,
Detroit Free Press,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Related article Inside the perfect storm of the deadly measles outbreak in Texas Also Friday, the New Mexico Department of Health reported 30 measles cases in Lea County, 20 more than had previously been identified in the state.—
Neha Mukherjee,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
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An all-too-common dispute between roommates turned deadly when a man suspected his privacy had been violated in a Nashville home, according to police in Tennessee.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 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
Articles Related to devastating
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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