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
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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If tax reform isn’t approached thoughtfully, the impact on those already facing significant challenges could be disastrous.—
Jack Salmon,
National Review,
14 Apr. 2025
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Apple had seemed to resolve this with its Private Cloud Compute, but then its disastrous Apple Intelligence delays made all that somewhat academic for the time being at least.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Online records show that Lamb was charged with homicide, kidnap-false imprisonment, evidence-destroying and procure for prostitute.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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But if enacted, some of the ideas proposed also risk destroying a nascent private sector and worsening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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An adventurous mix of fabrics brings warmth to the primary suite, without overwhelming the space.—
Kristen Flanagan,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2025
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That’s overwhelming even for the most experienced investor.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Los Angeles region is rebuilding two communities after the most destructive wildfires in Southern California’s history.—
Laurel Rosenhall,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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Back-to-back-to-back deadly and destructive tornado outbreaks in recent weeks have put a punctuation mark on what’s been an unusually active start to the year for thunderstorms in the United States.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Since March 14, severe weather has left a trail of destruction, toppling trees, demolishing homes, and igniting wildfires, the Associated Press reported.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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Education advocates and Democrats have condemned the move, and actually demolishing the agency would require an act of Congress.—
The Hill Staff,
The Hill,
20 Mar. 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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Law enforcement respond to a deadly shooting at a town house complex in Spotsylvania County, Va., on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
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 24 Apr. 2025.
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