Find Synonyms

devastate Synonyms

Another word for devastate

Choosing another word for devastate depends on context, so the 18 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 2 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• verb (Context 1)

To destroy or ruin a place or thing completely; to lay waste.

Usage Example

"A severe summer drought threatened to destroy the region's agricultural harvests."

Strongest
destroy
ravage
ruin
wreck
Strong
demolish
decimate
obliterate
annihilate
desolate
raze

• verb (Context 2)

To cause someone to feel overwhelming grief, shock, or emotional distress.

Usage Example

"The sudden closure of the community theater promised to crush the local artists who had worked there for decades."

Strongest
crush
shatter
overwhelm
Strong
heartbreak
distress
stun
shock
dismay

Opposites of devastate

The opposite of devastate shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

restore
comfort
rebuild
console
preserve
uplift
construct
encourage
See all opposites of devastate

• Nearby Words

devaluate
devaluation
devalue
devastate
devastated
devastating
devastatingly

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Devastate. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/devastate
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