ravage 1 of 2

verb

Definition of ravagenext
as in to destroy
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action the hurricane ravaged the state and caused billions of dollars worth of damage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ravage

2 of 2

noun

as in ravaging

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ravage contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ravage are despoil, devastate, pillage, sack, and waste. While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

When would despoil be a good substitute for ravage?

In some situations, the words despoil and ravage are roughly equivalent. However, despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

When is it sensible to use devastate instead of ravage?

While the synonyms devastate and ravage are close in meaning, devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

How are the words pillage and sack related as synonyms of ravage?

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

settlements pillaged by Vikings

Where would sack be a reasonable alternative to ravage?

The meanings of sack and ravage largely overlap; however, sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

In what contexts can waste take the place of ravage?

While in some cases nearly identical to ravage, 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 ravage
Verb
One reason for last month’s price spike, for instance, has been the price of eggs, up 15.2% over the month as bird flu ravages the poultry population. —David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025 Antonioni’s first color film is an audiovisual tour de force, with Carlo Di Palma’s stark images conjuring a world whose external ravages reflect and reinforce the soul-sickness of modern man, masterfully embodied by Vitti’s lead performance. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 May 2025
Noun
The community of Kerrville, Texas, ravaged by the catastrophic flooding of the Guadalupe River last week, is mourning its losses as rescue teams continue the grueling task of recovering the remains of missing victims. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 11 July 2025 In April, major flooding ravaged the state, prompting FEMA to jump in to help. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ravage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravage
  1. destroy
  2. devastate
  3. ruin
  4. destruction
  5. desecration
  6. ruination
Verb
  • In return, he was allowed to effectively destroy a nature site of great conservation value.
    — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • Trump also is destroying the Games’ potential upside.
    — Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Today, disaster seekers pack tours through New Orleans neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Katrina two decades ago, and visitors continue to flock to Galveston to see the legacy of a hurricane that killed thousands more than a century earlier.
    — Lila Hempel-Edgers July 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2025
  • Not only has its air defense infrastructure suffered badly in the confrontations with Israel, but its regional proxies and allies – Hamas, Hezbollah and the Assad regime in Syria – have either been devastated by Israel or collapsed altogether.
    — Linggong Kong, The Conversation, 22 July 2025
Definition of devastate
Verb
  • Some adults agreed, but others made comments about me ruining the mood.
    — Nicholas Rice, People.com, 20 July 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025
Definition of ruin
Noun
  • Hopefully the residents of Hawkins will have peace in the end — but not before more destruction.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 16 July 2025
  • The emergency biscuits slated for destruction represent only a small fraction of America’s typical annual investment in food aid.
    — Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Definition of destruction
Noun
  • Heidi Dutton, 19, entered a guilty plea in May to two counts of first-degree-murder, conspiracy, and two counts of desecration of a human corpse in the deaths of Deborah and Larry Dutton, who were her biological grandparents and adoptive parents.
    — Chris Spargo, People.com, 11 June 2025
  • The Titanic isn't just a shipwreck — it’s widely regarded as a maritime grave, and some view any disturbance as a form of desecration.
    — Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 2025
Definition of desecration
Noun
  • Charged with gun possession and bribing a witness, Mr. Combs stood trial for seven weeks in early 2001, facing the possibility of 15 years in prison — and, possibly, the ruination of his career.
    — Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Fetterman and McCormick set for high-stakes Pennsylvania forum MAJOR HEADLINES ‘DAMAGING DECISION’ – Trump says tariff ruling could lead to 'economic ruination' of US.
    — , FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025
Definition of ruination

Browse Nearby Words

raunchy
ravage
ravaged
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Cite this Entry

“Ravage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravage. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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