1
as in destroys
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
the city was devastated, first by the earthquake and then by fires
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in demolishes
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 overwhelms
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 devastates
So when the dog is lost in a severe storm that devastates the region and leaves many homeless, an overwhelmed Rose must balance the urgency of her search mission alongside the misfortune of others close to her.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
8 June 2026
Withholding effective treatment for chronic disease devastates lives and drives up healthcare costs.
—
Karen R. Studer,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
After an epidemic devastates humanity, one group, the Traveling Symphony, connects disparate survivors by performing Shakespeare.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
20 May 2026
The fire devastates the area, burning down the couple's entire property.
—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
As a Category 5 hurricane devastates a small coastal town, flooding turns out to be the least of the residents' worries when the rising water brings massive predators with it.
—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
10 Apr. 2026
Florida’s citrus industry has been in a steady decline the past 25 years because of Huanglongbing (also known as HLB and citrus greening disease), a bacterial disease that devastates citrus trees.
—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Kyiv residents endure long daily blackouts as Russia devastates the power system, leaving tower block dwellers freezing in apartments with no heat or light.
—
Derek Gatopoulos,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2026
Exacerbating the problem, unpredictable rainfall cycling between drought and floods further devastates the region.
—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
8 June 2026
Withholding effective treatment for chronic disease devastates lives and drives up healthcare costs.
—
Karen R. Studer,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
After an epidemic devastates humanity, one group, the Traveling Symphony, connects disparate survivors by performing Shakespeare.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
20 May 2026
The fire devastates the area, burning down the couple's entire property.
—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
As a Category 5 hurricane devastates a small coastal town, flooding turns out to be the least of the residents' worries when the rising water brings massive predators with it.
—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
10 Apr. 2026
Florida’s citrus industry has been in a steady decline the past 25 years because of Huanglongbing (also known as HLB and citrus greening disease), a bacterial disease that devastates citrus trees.
—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Kyiv residents endure long daily blackouts as Russia devastates the power system, leaving tower block dwellers freezing in apartments with no heat or light.
—
Derek Gatopoulos,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2026
Exacerbating the problem, unpredictable rainfall cycling between drought and floods further devastates the region.
—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastates
Verb
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What starts as a series that aims to subvert the heist genre at every turn – amped with thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action – gives birth to an exploration of what drives us, sustains us, and ultimately destroys us.
-
Arrrives, destroys Femi and hands Main Event Jey the crown.
Verb
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An $8,000 Ryvid Anthem or a $10,000 Maeving RM1S will deliver broadly similar urban usability, while the $12,500 Zero FXE absolutely demolishes it on power-per-dollar.
-
The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.
Verb
-
Trends break, sentiment changes and, sometimes, market volatility overwhelms even the cleanest chart formations.
-
Money earned from chip sales abroad quickly flows out to buy stocks like Nvidia, creating persistent downward pressure on the won that overwhelms export gains.
Verb
-
Wildfire ravages Simi Valley as evacuations are underway.
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Greenhouses provide protection from scourges like tomato blight, which ravages otherwise beautiful crops in areas with cool, rainy weather.
Verb
-
But now a new ultralight player shatters the silence with an impressive solo tent that not only drops in right around 2 lb (907 oz) but does it at half the price of some of the competition.
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When a window shatters, your entire home is at risk of collapse or even being blown away.
Verb
-
And a strangeness suddenly overcomes me.
-
These families show that love overcomes differences.
Verb
-
Nothing ruins the start of a weekend away faster than wrestling with an overstuffed bag.
-
Again, don't wring the suit, which ruins the shape.
Verb
-
Kyle Busch wrecks Ron Hornaday under caution!
-
The change launches biannual arguments about the practice, wrecks havoc on sleep and has inspired voters to go to California polls.
Cite this Entry
“Devastates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastates. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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