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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastating
Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
So far, Tehran appears to be in no hurry, projecting defiance in the face of what would be a significant escalation and a devastating blow to the country.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Most businesses are open and welcoming customers following January’s devastating Palisades Fire.
—Tim Chester, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
In the end, March Madness became a muddled mess as Florida’s push to repeat as national champions unraveled in a devastating loss to Iowa.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
So far, Tehran appears to be in no hurry, projecting defiance in the face of what would be a significant escalation and a devastating blow to the country.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
But by the early 1990s, industrial bottom trawlers had decimated cod stocks, and in 1992, the Canadian government instituted a moratorium on cod fishing, devastating the industry and ending a long-standing way of life.
—Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Most businesses are open and welcoming customers following January’s devastating Palisades Fire.
—Tim Chester, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
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So had Florida not decided to tweak its offense to emphasize paint touches, dwindling the bricks its guards had regularly tossed through the first two disastrous months, this could have been a historic season.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
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Part of the rush to take up flags may be the disastrous economy in Britain.—
Simon Constable,
FOXNews.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Because the nerves were already ravaging his poise.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
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This is a chilling history of a problem still ravaging significant swaths of America — not to mention elsewhere in the world.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The man, purportedly Weis, who is now in police custody, was discovered late Monday night by security after hearing reports of someone destroying glass sculptures on the grounds.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
20 Mar. 2026
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The regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran is massacring young people and destroying Iran’s future.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Robby’s self-contempt and his fears of what the PTMC could become without him are overwhelming his character — and the show too.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
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Any vines that are overwhelming a tree in this fashion need to be removed or drastically pruned.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In December, the country faced a destructive attack on its energy system believed to be unprecedented among NATO and European Union members, and suspected of originating in Russia.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
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Parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf could be slammed by strong to severe thunderstorms Thursday, bringing the potential for damaging winds, destructive hail and a few tornadoes.—
Matthew Cappucci,
Washington Post,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The ongoing heat wave shattering dozens of temperature records in Southern California is no exception, Swain said.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
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Made up of infected IoT devices, digital video recorders, and even virtual machines, Aisuru has been grabbing headlines for launching DDoS assaults reaching as high as 30Tbps, shattering the previous records.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This prototype may offer a sustainable solution for long-term exploration on Earth and other planets by overcoming the need for batteries.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Mar. 2026
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Founded by a young mother overcoming thyroid cancer, the brand was created to inspire hope, strength and faith during life’s hardest seasons.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now, months later, residents say the gunfire has shattered their peace, ruining quiet strolls and sunsets on the neighborhood’s lakes.—
Christopher Spata,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
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Causing economic destruction with ridiculous lockdowns, ruining lives and livelihoods…that wasn't enough?—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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