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 tragic shooting has devastated the community of Bend, located about 170 miles south of Portland. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 In one example, the institution’s claim that California’s minimum wage law for fast-food workers had devastated the job market for those workers was tripped up by its failure to recognize the effect of seasonal adjustments in employment statistics. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 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
  • London had been ravaged by plague since the summer of 1592, with high mortality rates in the city and suburbs meaning the playhouses were closed for business for twenty of the following twenty-two months.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Swarms of police officers and ambulances racing to the grounds of a school ravaged by gunfire has become a familiar scene, and one that represents only the beginning of incalculable pain, loss and trauma.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of ravaged
Verb
  • Both the rocket and the camera were destroyed after crashing into the Earth at a speed of about 340 miles per hour.
    — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Cities outside Paris have been hit hard by the unrest, including Limoges where a fire nearly destroyed the 19th-century city hall.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of destroyed
Verb
  • Following Stark’s rescue, the first responders at Paradise Canyon Drive were overwhelmed, according to two civilians who were present and Hernandez’s body-camera footage.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Swain settled in this preseason, showing an improved progression in his decision making when he was not overwhelmed by on-ball duties.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 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
  • On Wednesday night, northern and central parts of the state saw hail the size of golf balls that pummeled people’s roofs, shattered windows and dented cars, along with damaging wind gusts.
    — Wufei Yu, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Hail pummeled people's roofs, shattered windows and dented cars.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of shattered
Adjective
  • Rypkema said the region could look to San Antonio’s Under 1 Roof program, which provides low- to moderate-income homeowners with one-time grants of up to $19,000 to fix worn or damaged roofs.
    — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • There are some health concerns related to PTFE coatings when misused, damaged or excessively heated.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of damaged
Verb
  • Clare is now living with Wilcox; her home was demolished in the crash.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The Santa Maria Addolorata Church in West Town is being demolished to make way for six new homes.
    — Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 21 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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