as in disastrous
causing or tending to cause destruction
a devastating blow to our morale
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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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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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of devastating
Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
The rainfall prompted the most devastating flood in Spain in 30 years and left more than 140,000 people without power in Valencia.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
This devastating turns of events was into motion, oddly enough, when Nancy accidentally texted a naughty photo of herself to everyone in the 126.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
After a devastating fire in 1991, the proceeds of these concerts helped rebuild parts of the castle.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devastating 
Adjective
Arizona businesses say a shortage of workers is threatening to hold up projects in industries such as construction, hospitality and agriculture — and that without changes to the federal immigration system, the economy could face a devastating hit.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
The rainfall prompted the most devastating flood in Spain in 30 years and left more than 140,000 people without power in Valencia.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
This devastating turns of events was into motion, oddly enough, when Nancy accidentally texted a naughty photo of herself to everyone in the 126.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
After a devastating fire in 1991, the proceeds of these concerts helped rebuild parts of the castle.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Biden’s refusal to exit the 2024 presidential race after a disastrous initial debate performance in June kicked off a whirlwind season that gave rise to Harris.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
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That unease burst into the open after Biden’s disastrous June debate performance against Trump.Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Keeping the excessive usage of drones in ongoing wars in mind, the United States Army’s Apache helicopters are training to get better at destroying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) mid-flight using Hellfire missiles, among other ammunition.Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2024
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The grand jury accused Whiting of misuse of public monies, theft, conflict of interest, harassment, sending a threatening letter and stealing, destroying, altering or secreting public records.Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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In California, a cold front could help with efforts to contain the destructive 20,630-acre Mountain Fire.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
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As its impacts grow more visible and destructive, how is this possible? Views of Hurricane Milton’s damage across Florida.Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The shooting in Little Italy San Diego Police are investigating a deadly shooting in broad daylight Wednesday in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood that was followed by a shootout involving police a short while later.NBC San Diego, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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While many convicted in the deadly January 6 riot are already angling for pardons, there’s another group of high-profile defendants who could be interested in Trump’s leniency.Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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