as in disastrous
causing or tending to cause destruction
a devastating blow to our morale
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 devastating
Carson Becker, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
In the case of Los Angeles, even before the devastating wildfires broke out in the city, the region was already facing a housing crisis.
—James Nelson, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
The Osceola County School District’s plan to consolidate Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services is a devastating blow to families of children with disabilities.
—Melanie L. Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025
The conference illuminated the increasingly strained relationship between Israel and its traditional allies in the West, which have grown uneasy with Israeli politics and the direction of the country’s devastating war in Gaza.
—Julia Frankel and Leo Correa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Adjective
The 2024 election dealt a devastating blow to California progressives from Harris to Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon and San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
—Carson Becker, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
In the case of Los Angeles, even before the devastating wildfires broke out in the city, the region was already facing a housing crisis.
—James Nelson, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
The Osceola County School District’s plan to consolidate Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services is a devastating blow to families of children with disabilities.
—Melanie L. Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025
The conference illuminated the increasingly strained relationship between Israel and its traditional allies in the West, which have grown uneasy with Israeli politics and the direction of the country’s devastating war in Gaza.
—Julia Frankel and Leo Correa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devastating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastating
Adjective
-
No punishment for shooting a disastrous 24 percent from 3, the team’s worst perimeter performance since its 6-for-23 effort from deep against St. John’s on Feb. 23.—
Brendan Marks,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Or how about their disastrous appearance on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here?—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Climate change’s role Hurricanes are a far more destructive force in Florida than wildfires, which destroy many more properties in western states than in the Sunshine State.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Present bias is the trait of being unable to muster the willpower to avoid destructive buy now, pay later behavior.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Which program will pay the most for the valuable service of demolishing them?—
Sam Blum,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
-
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
-
Saxon and Ben have a deadly confrontation in the hotel’s grand ballroom, while Margaux attempts her final escape.—
Martine Paris,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The deadly weapon, prosecutors say, was Diaz's own bodily fluids.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Devastating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastating. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share