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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb devastate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of devastate are despoil, pillage, ravage, sack, and waste. While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

In what contexts can despoil take the place of devastate?

While the synonyms despoil and devastate are close in meaning, despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

How are the words pillage and sack related as synonyms of devastate?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.

settlements pillaged by Vikings

When would ravage be a good substitute for devastate?

The words ravage and devastate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

Where would sack be a reasonable alternative to devastate?

Although the words sack and devastate have much in common, sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

When is waste a more appropriate choice than devastate?

While in some cases nearly identical to devastate, waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

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 devastate The murder on the afternoon of Jan. 20, 2021, devastated the victim’s family, who said Ozuna’s passion was dance. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025 Without nonpartisan, professional civil servants, government dysfunction destroys the services people rely on, and corruption and financial mismanagement devastate the economy. Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 12 Mar. 2025 On a previous episode of The Baldwins, Hilaria shared that when Alec first left for the Rust trial, their 11-year-old daughter Carmen was devastated. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025 The series coming to an end after six seasons devastated many fans, but even as the series finale aired in June 2022, Peaky punks (Blinder-ites?) could rest easy, knowing that final closure in the form of a film was on its way. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for devastate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate
Verb
  • No broken bottle is going to keep him from ravaging his prey.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Listen to this article MIAMI — For a roster jolted by the trade of Jimmy Butler and ravaged recently by injuries and absences, a constant for the Miami Heat this season has been the team’s two-way contracts.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Residents of states that have been impacted by this weekend's storms have posted photos online showing their homes destroyed by the tornadoes, with roofs fallen completely off, walls caved in and debris on lawns.
    Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Taking on the role of a teenage boy named Chrono, players have to travel through time and assemble a team to stop a horrifying creature named Lavos from destroying the world.
    Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Flashback: Hospitals in NWA, like much of the country, were overwhelmed by the number of COVID-19 patients and struggled with staffing.
    Alex Golden, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
  • However, Conquest overwhelms her, cleaves her jaw off and punches a hole through her stomach in mere seconds.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Alli Jo adds that the kids left school to appear on the date with Grant and the ladies, so Zoe ruined their day, too.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Every once in a while, a pitfall of community theater is glimpsed, but only momentarily, and here the heartfelt sense of fun overcomes any little shortcoming.
    Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
  • This Netflix documentary follows three young Brooklyn sisters who join a community track team and, through their dedication to running (and with the support of their team), strive to overcome homelessness, family trauma, and financial struggles.
    Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Many have long since been demolished or altered beyond recognition, but some of the most beautiful have miraculously kept their original structures and decoration intact.
    The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Some residential buildings have been demolished; a hole is punched into the side of a mosque; chunks of broken concrete now bare the inside of someone’s home to the outside world.
    Jeremy Diamond, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The animated blockbuster, which has shattered box office records, will debut in the U.K. and Ireland on March 21, with previews beginning March 14.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Investigators say at least seven shots were fired, damaging three cars and shattering windows.
    Chris Isidore, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With the Trop's roof wrecked by Hurricane Milton, the Rays will play at Tampa's George M. Steinbrenner Field.
    Jeff Weiner, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
  • A lot of people get too ambitious, head to the back tees, and end up absolutely wrecked by the course.
    David Hochman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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