Synonyms of ravage

ravage 1 of 2

verb

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

• destroy
• devastate
• ruin
• plunder
• scourge
• overwhelm
• wreck
• despoil
• pillage
• shatter
• desolate
• sack
• obliterate
• eradicate
• decimate
• demolish
• strip
• loot
• vaporize
• annihilate
• extirpate
• extinguish
• expunge
• wipe out
• maraud
• smash
• waste
• harry
• raze
• mow
• wrack
• total
• overpower
• nuke
• overrun
• foray
• overthrow
• rub out
• crush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recover
• restore
• rehabilitate
• redeem
• repair
• recondition
• patch
• fix
• mend
• revamp

ravage

2 of 2

noun

as in ravaging

Related Words

• ravaging
• wrecking
• destruction
• desecration
• ruination
• demolishing
• ruin
• trashing
• desecrating
• vandalism
• demolishment
• sabotage
• pillage
• defacement
• defacing
• plundering
• pillaging
• marauding
• plunder
• looting
• vandalization
• despoiling
• depredation
• predation
• spoliation
• ransacking
• despoilment
• sacking

Dissimilar Words

• protection
• saving
• conservation
• preservation
• salvage

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

Recent Examples of ravage

Verb

According to prosecutors' opening statements June 10, the wildfire that ravaged Los Angeles' affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood was part of a vengeful plot from a man who resented the wealthy. —Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 12 June 2026

Deirdre O’Mahony interviews Irish farmers who’ve likewise watched their labor and craft ravaged by capitalism, but turns their woes into a memorable libretto set to striking aerial views of their fields. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026

Noun

The original 37-acre La Questa Vineyard, subdivided into three parcels, survived its ravages. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026

His pointed lyrics tackle such topics as ignorance, oppression, failed government policies in his homeland, wanton terrorism, the lasting ravages of French colonialism (which only ended in Niger in 2023), the exploitation of Africa’s natural resources and other timely topics. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025