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
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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
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2025
The reward, with any luck, is a world with not as much deadly air pollution from fossil fuels — and not as many devastating fires, heat waves and storms.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025
The effects could be even more devastating in countries where the legislation makes up a much higher percentage of HIV funds.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 28 Jan. 2025
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grant recipients as well as raise funds to benefit the BMAC L.A. Fire Relief Fund, an urgent and immediate relief fund with a focus on Black residents and small businesses of the L.A. area affected by the ongoing and devastating fires.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for devastating 
Adjective
Almost two years ago, the BBC greenlit a three-part drama about the Grenfell Tower fire, a national tragedy in which 72 people perished in a devastating blaze at a London housing block.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2025
The reward, with any luck, is a world with not as much deadly air pollution from fossil fuels — and not as many devastating fires, heat waves and storms.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025
The effects could be even more devastating in countries where the legislation makes up a much higher percentage of HIV funds.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 28 Jan. 2025
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grant recipients as well as raise funds to benefit the BMAC L.A. Fire Relief Fund, an urgent and immediate relief fund with a focus on Black residents and small businesses of the L.A. area affected by the ongoing and devastating fires.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
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Many Democrats are angry that Biden clung to power and refused to allow for an open primary, only stepping aside after a disastrous debate performance provoked an internal revolt against his candidacy.—
Jonathan Easley,
The Hill,
20 Jan. 2025
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Other threats of looting and burglary loom over Los Angeles County, after disastrous fires have devastated communities.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The most pressing problem concerns European Union rules on carbon dioxide emissions, with bottom-line-destroying fines for the bigger failures.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
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As a series of explosions could be heard destroying the structure's support pillars, causing the old hotel to fall inward, the crowd of onlookers are heard in the video erupting in cheers.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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White corn is particularly popular among craft distilleries, as the mild flavor of its whiskeys allows other mash bill components, such as rye or barley, and the influence of barrel aging to shine without overwhelming the palate.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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Some popular online sites might be difficult to access or overwhelming for some age groups to navigate, but a physical card for a physical store could be a better fit.—
Felecia Wellington Radel,
USA TODAY,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Experts say the operations to neutralize tunnels were extremely destructive to surface infrastructure.—
Abdel Kareem Hana and Tia Goldenberg,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2025
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Climate change is increasing the risk from hurricanes, driving more extreme rainfall, and making more intense and destructive wildfires more likely.—
Rachel Waldholz,
NPR,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Which program will pay the most for the valuable service of demolishing them?—
Sam Blum,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
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General Motors is preparing to move out, and an ambitious redevelopment vision that would involve demolishing two RenCen towers is said to hinge on a commitment of public financing support — one that hasn't been forthcoming so far.—
JC Reindl,
Detroit Free Press,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Heading into his late 30s, Lil Joe has been a road warrior in an astonishing and sometimes harrowing life’s journey, gaining considerable recognition among his kind, which in the wild is having a tough time these days with Florida’s deadly waters.—
Kevin Spear,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Jan. 2025
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Those feats, economists say, are even more impressive considering the nation was deep in the throes of a deadly, economy-scarring pandemic when Biden took office.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN,
19 Jan. 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
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Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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