devastated 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of devastatednext
as in destroyed

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devastated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of devastate
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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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of devastated
Adjective
Rescuers continue to struggle to reach devastated communities days after the massive flooding that stemmed from a glacier collapse on the Nepal-Tibet border region on Wednesday. — Rudy Chinchilla, NBC news, 31 Aug. 2026 Villagers return to devastated homes As people were still leaving Trishuli, some village residents were returning to see what could be salvaged from their decimated homes. — Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
The men said learning about the latest attack left them devastated for the mother and toddler, and determined to speak out. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 Over 74,000 Palestinians have since been killed, with their territory devastated. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for devastated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastated
  1. ruined
  2. ravaged
  3. destroyed
  4. overwhelmed
  5. wrecked
  6. shattered
  7. damaged
  8. demolished
Adjective
  • Sitting on the rim of his consciousness was always cataclysm, the muted whisper of a ruined world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of ruined
Verb
  • For more than 50 years, the house remained vacant, was ravaged by fire, and fell into complete disrepair.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The orangutans, including three mothers with infants and two adolescent males, were rescued from areas in Ketapang and North Kayong regencies that were ravaged by fires between August and September.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of ravaged
Verb
  • Firefighters battling a blaze that destroyed six homes in south Orange County can expect a bit of reprieve Saturday afternoon as Santa Ana winds begin to die down.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Its owners, a family of three, left for a cruise before the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel destroyed their property.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of destroyed
Verb
  • The graphic descriptions of internal brain trauma overwhelmed the jury box, prompting the judge to call a recess Friday.
    — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Kirschner said that his staff has been overwhelmed with homeless individuals causing property damage and harassing customers.
    — Melody Xu, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of overwhelmed
Adjective
  • The Audi driver ran off with his car’s license plates, leaving the wrecked luxury car behind.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Police and firefighters responding to the area discovered the wrecked vehicle along the hillside.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrecked
Verb
  • Multiple temperature records have been shattered, and an intense marine heat wave has been churning since last December — making our typical high tides even higher — El Niño notwithstanding.
    — Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Business damaged by gunfire A bullet shattered the window of Tikal Cocina Café during the shooting.
    — Janay Reece, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of shattered
Adjective
  • Terrain may obstruct radio signals, while damaged infrastructure can limit cellular access.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • At least five people were reported missing, 49 were rescued, and the flood swept away about three dozen homes and damaged bridges, power lines and a hydropower construction site.
    — Binaj Gurubacharya, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of damaged
Verb
  • That includes what else could get demolished or built, beyond the stadium and team headquarters.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The island is the former home of a Renault factory, which was active for most of the 20th century and demolished in 2005.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of demolished

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Cite this Entry

“Devastated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastated. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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