DEVASTATE Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

devastate

verb

ˈde-və-ˌstāt

Definition of devastate

as in to ravage

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

as in to destroy

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

as in to overwhelm

to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress we were devastated by the awful news of his death

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 This is adding to the already high toll caused by problems with energy and water supplies, devastated crops, losses in river traffic and trade. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 And since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has also devastated Gaza, taking over more than sixty-five per cent of its territory, damaging or destroying over ninety per cent of the homes. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 The water that devastated Nepal began on the Tibetan side, and the barrier lake that threatened a second surge sat right on the frontier. — Umesh Haritashya, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2026 Europe ran the corresponding deficits, as many countries borrowed heavily abroad to rebuild economies devastated by war. — Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for devastate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastate

Verb

In a world that’s been ravaged by a virus, with many living on the skids, survivors face roaming scavengers called Reapers.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
During the seven years that it was occupied by British forces, Manhattan had been ravaged by fires, picked over by looters, covered in fortifications, and swollen with refugees.

— Eric Lach, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of ravage

Verb

Almost 50 homes and other structures have been destroyed so far; there have been several injuries, and one of Tibbetts’s neighbors lost 20 German shepherds.

— Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
The flood then destroyed roads and knocked out power and phone networks, leaving families unable to establish even the most basic facts.

— Laura Saravia, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

The Tar Heels’ ability to overcome some sloppiness — and, yes, take advantage of a slew of TCU mistakes — was a positive intangible sign after Belichick’s brutal debut season and offseason.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
But to overcome 30 years of Republican dominance, Talarico needs votes from everywhere.

— Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

Later demolished, the home sat directly across the street from a far more modern residence by a designer with ties to the Tao restaurant chain and the Venetian Las Vegas.

— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026
That then will allow the existing Willowcreek Middle School to be demolished.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of demolish

Verb

In addition, the original estimate that the Falcon 9 reusable boosters were only good for 10 flights has been shattered by the latest mission using a booster that had flown 37 times.

— David Szondy August 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
In 1985, the director Kevin Sullivan produced, with primary funding from the Canadian Broadcasting Company and support from PBS, a record-shattering Anne miniseries.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of shatter

Verb

In addition, Moscow continued its efforts to wreck the Ukrainian power grid before the freezing winter months.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
But in a case of life imitating art, the show’s entire publicity strategy was inadvertently wrecked by a real-life aristocrat, after reports leaked that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was being eyed for a role in the series.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of wreck

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“Devastate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of devastate

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Synonyms of devastate

verb

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The Words of the Week - Mar. 13

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