ravish

1
as in to delight
to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight) travelers have long been ravished with wonder and awe by the immensity of the Great Pyramid at Giza

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to violate
to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent invaders guilty of murdering and ravishing villagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 ravish At least 19 people have died as an outbreak of tornadoes ravished through the U.S. South and Midwest early Saturday morning, injuring multiple people across several states and leaving a path of destruction in the wake. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025 The Golden State was recently ravished by wildfires that destroyed Los Angeles homes and challenged local firefighters who combated flames amidst issues obtaining water. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 6 Feb. 2025 But those experiences ended up fueling her 2024 EP, The Drive Home, which drew ravishing reviews for its poetic metaphors pulled from her childhood memories. Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025 More than a dozen comedians and musicians are coming together to support Los Angeles following the devastating wildfires that claimed at least 25 lives and ravished tens of thousands of acres in January. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ravish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravish
Verb
  • Every year, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale delights shoppers with its unbeatable selection of stylish and well-made apparel, and this year is no exception.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2025
  • Haze: Filled with pineapple flavor, this hazy beer delights the senses with vibrant tropical fruit notes from its hop blend and natural pineapple puree.
    Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • Under the proposal, violating the permit restrictions would carry a $150 fine.
    John Tuohy, IndyStar, 23 July 2025
  • Then, in November 2023, a mistrial was declared in a federal trial over whether Hankison violated the civil rights of Taylor, her boyfriend and neighbors after the jury could not come to a decision.
    Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Too eager to please and be manipulated, essentially.
    Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
  • The models keep getting bigger, the marketing keeps promising more, but a fundamental mismatch remains: a system trained to please can't deliver the reality check that therapy sometimes demands.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Each of her 2020s releases, along with their accompanying visuals, has further fleshed out the Rebecca Black universe, building out an expressive and occasionally confrontational aesthetic that has enraptured more and more fans.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 30 June 2025
  • My heroes weren’t wandering poets enraptured with the sea.
    James Rebanks June 26, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The author's own life story has also fascinated film makers: this year, a new BBC drama called Miss Austen imagined Jane Austen's life, alongside her sister Cassandra.
    Robbie Griffiths, NPR, 20 July 2025
  • Disney was fascinated with the technology behind robotic puppets that move and talk in a fluid way.
    Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • Chickpea Cookie Dough Chickpea cookie dough is high in protein and sure to satisfy a craving for sweetness.
    Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
  • To satisfy presidential demands, field offices are directed to meet new daily arrest quotas—75 arrests per office—raising agency-wide targets to 1,200–1,500 arrests per day, up from only about a few hundred.
    Juwayriah Wright, Time, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Insider tip: Step into a fairytale at 12th-century Thun Castle, then wander Thun’s enchanting Old Town and lakeside Schadau Park—home to a Gothic Revival castle that’s a national treasure.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 18 July 2025
  • Over 3,000 Amazon reviewers give this enchanting light setup five stars for its IP65 waterproof rating, radiance, and affordability.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • The Captive, starring Julio Peña as Miguel de Cervantes, a wounded navy soldier who, after being taken captive to Algiers in 1575, tries to escape and enthralls those around him with this storytelling.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 26 June 2025
  • Either way — covering her own songs or gems by other artists — Erivo is likely to enthrall.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ravish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravish. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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