ravage

1 of 2

noun

rav·age ˈra-vij

Synonyms of ravage next

: an act or practice of ravaging

: damage resulting from ravaging : violently destructive effect

the ravages of time

ravage

2 of 2

verb

ravaged; ravaging

transitive verb

: to wreak havoc on : affect destructively

a land ravaged by war

intransitive verb

: to commit destructive actions

ravagement

ˈra-vij-mənt

noun

ravager noun

Choose the Right Synonym for ravage

ravage, devastate, waste, sack, pillage, despoil mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying.

ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.

settlements pillaged by Vikings

despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

Examples of ravage in a Sentence

Verb Hurricane Andrew ravaged Louisiana and Florida in 1992, causing $19 billion in damage.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Noun

As medical doctors, Gloria Ethel and her husband Elliott have seen how malnutrition— particularly among children— ravages communities. —

Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024 But when disasters like Hurricane Helene ravage areas these people live in, that ought to drive us to recommit to the institutions and practices that have made so many of us safer from natural disasters. —

Connor Okeeffe, Orange County Register, 9 Oct. 2024

Verb

His family was living the reality unfolding before his eyes—his beloved homeland ravaged, night after night. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 Spain, despite storms that have ravaged the Valencia region, brought in $937K from 291 screens at No. 5 for the weekend. —

Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ravage

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French, "destruction, damage (by human or animal agency, or by natural or nonmaterial causes, as disease or age)," going back to Middle French, "destruction by human agency, pillage, violent flood of water," from ravir "to seize forcefully, plunder, sweep along" (going back to Old French) + -age age — more at ravish

Verb

borrowed from French ravager, derivative of ravage "destruction, damage" — more at ravage entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler

The first known use of ravage was in 1602

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ravage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ravage. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

ravage

1 of 2 noun

rav·age ˈrav-ij

: violently destructive action or effect

ravage

2 of 2 verb

ravaged; ravaging

: to attack or act upon with great violence

a forest ravaged by fire

ravagement

-mənt

noun

ravager noun

Last Updated: 17 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

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ravage

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of ravage in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near ravage

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition