as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
the sheer devastation of the housing development by the forest fire
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Recent Examples of devastation
Despite the devastation, the family has received an outpouring of support from the community, something Jackeline Madrid said reflects who her father was.
—
Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
In the two years following Hurricane Maria's devastation in Puerto Rico in 2017, overdose reports increased, another study found.
—Andrew Jones, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Haiti continues to grapple with the devastation of the 2010 earthquake, compounded by subsequent natural disasters, political turmoil, and economic challenges.
—Dr. Alister Martin, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Though the turnout was low, those who cast votes said they were driven to the polls amid a near-total absence of public services amid the devastation after more than two years of war.
—Sam Metz, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026
It’s caused devastation for working families.
—NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Last week’s fire in Georgia destroyed dozens of homes in a region historically spared from such devastation.
—Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
What a fantastic comeback from hurricane devastation.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
The result is a finale that feels performed rather than lived, landing with respectability instead of devastation.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
In the two years following Hurricane Maria's devastation in Puerto Rico in 2017, overdose reports increased, another study found.
—Andrew Jones, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Haiti continues to grapple with the devastation of the 2010 earthquake, compounded by subsequent natural disasters, political turmoil, and economic challenges.
—Dr. Alister Martin, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Though the turnout was low, those who cast votes said they were driven to the polls amid a near-total absence of public services amid the devastation after more than two years of war.
—Sam Metz, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026
It’s caused devastation for working families.
—NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Last week’s fire in Georgia destroyed dozens of homes in a region historically spared from such devastation.
—Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
What a fantastic comeback from hurricane devastation.
—Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
The result is a finale that feels performed rather than lived, landing with respectability instead of devastation.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastation
Noun
-
One chapter closes, another opens The destruction of several Russian Kamov Ka-52s using drones doesn’t signal the end of the attack helicopter by any means.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
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The pace of destruction was terrifying.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If there’s trust on the back end, James can move up closer to the line of scrimmage to make plays and wreak havoc.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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For Trudeau, this week’s wildfires are yet another sign that climate change is wreaking havoc on natural ecosystems and increasing fire activity across the country, including in historically humid landscapes.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In corresponding moves, left-hander Charlie Barnes and right-hander Yacksel Ríos were called up from Triple-A Iowa and right-hander Vince Velasquez, who threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday’s loss, was designated for assignment to open a 40-man spot for Ríos.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Saturday’s defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur was markedly less depressing than the losses in the previous two games.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Bald eagles have made a strong recovery in Michigan, growing from the edge of extinction with just 52 breeding pairs in the 1960s to about 900 pairs by 2023, Bridge Michigan reported.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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By the early 1940s, it was gone, widely recognized as the first butterfly in North America driven to extinction by human activity.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Since the demolition began, Democrats have mostly used the ballroom project as a political piñata.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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Phase three of demolition includes the Kohl’s parcel.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devastation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devastation. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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