as in destroyed
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1
as in ravaged
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 ruined
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 overwhelmed
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 devastated
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
Companies have been forced to navigate a complex environment in which continuing operations risks legitimizing the junta, while withdrawal raises fears of mass job losses in an already devastated economy.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025
Chaewon Chung
updated January 6, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026
The Palisades and Eaton wildfires — which devastated neighborhoods across Los Angeles County, including Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Pasadena and Altadena — burned for 31 days before being fully contained.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastated
Adjective
ONeal says storm chasers are often among the first people to reach devastated communities — sometimes long before emergency crews can arrive.
—Verb
Building stronger ocean protections California suffered from the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, a catastrophe that devastated coastal ecosystems and marine life.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastated
Verb
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Injuries have ravaged this team, robbing it of some of its most impactful stars like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.—
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Dysentery and scurvy ravaged the vessel, killing or incapacitating many on board.—
Verb
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The Palisades fire killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 structures, becoming the third-most destructive fire in state history.—
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One year after the Palisades Fire leveled entire neighborhoods and destroyed thousands of homes, one Malibu resident is stepping up to help rebuild his community with his architectural expertise.—
Verb
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Those bold trunks of synapses, instead of the sleek connections most people have, mean that Kaylie can be overwhelmed by the flood of input coming her way.—
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Indiana overwhelmed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl as Mendoza passed for 192 yards and three touchdowns.—
Adjective
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His choices allow the viewer to drink in the intimate details of the ruined world.—
Verb
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By the afternoon, the store had reopened, but the front door's glass remained shattered, with a large banner placed in front of the entrance, the local station reported.—
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The Kohbergers’ pride in Bryan was shattered by the revelation that he was suspected of and later admitted to the slaughter.—
Adjective
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The driver then got out of the wrecked vehicle and fled on foot, police said.—
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Lowell plunders an emerald out of a wrecked ship, starts a fistfight with a local ruler, nearly dies when a boa constrictor wraps itself around her neck, and is wounded by an alligator.—
Verb
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In 2024, the abanonded LaGrave Field baseball stadium was demolished.—
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The tall high-rise buildings not demolished in Gaza City are seen in the far distance.—
Adjective
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Dead or damaged branches can be removed any time.—
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Your Skin Might Heal Faster Chamomile is often used topically to soothe damaged skin.—
Cite this Entry
“Devastated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastated. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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