Main Entry: ²ravage

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): rav·aged; rav·ag·ing

Date: circa 1611

transitive verb : to wreak havoc on : affect destructively <a land ravaged by war>intransitive verb : to commit destructive actions

— rav·age·ment \-vij-mənt\ noun

— rav·ag·er noun

synonyms 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>.