ravish

verb rav·ish \ ˈra-vish \

Updated on: 28 Feb 2018

Definition of ravish

transitive verb

1 a : to seize and take away by violence

b : to overcome with emotion (such as joy or delight)

ravished by the scenic beauty

c : ¹rape 1

2 : plunder, rob

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ravisher

noun

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ravishment

play \ˈra-vish-mənt\ noun

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Examples of ravish in a Sentence

tales of Caribbean pirates who abducted fair maidens and ravished them without mercy
travelers have long been ravished with wonder and awe by the immensity of the Great Pyramid at Giza

Recent Examples of ravish from the Web

French-Cuban twins Lisa-Kainde and Naomi Diaz, also known as polystylistic R&B duo Ibeyi, masterfully transform firsthand experiences and thoughts into something universal on their ravishing second album, Ash (XL).

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "French-Cuban duo Ibeyi yearns for a just, contemplative world on its new groove-filled album," 2 Nov. 2017
The House will vote Thursday on a disaster relief bill following a series of devastating hurricanes and massive wildfires that have ravished parts of the United States.

— daniella diaz, CNN, "Trump: We cannot aid Puerto Rico 'forever'," 12 Oct. 2017
Monsoon season regularly ravishes the Indian subcontinent.

— kevin lui, Time, "Severe Flooding in South Asia Has Caused More Than 1,200 Deaths This Summer," 30 Aug. 2017
Robert Scheer/IndyStar The emerald ash borer has been ravishing its way across the Midwest, and Indiana is no exception.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "Have a dead ash tree? Here's what to know," 17 Aug. 2017
Ravishing in red were three lucky ladies, all in body-hugging crimson dresses: Kate Upton roaming the red carpet in Los Angeles; Eva Longoria leaving her restaurant, Besos, in L.A.; and Blake Lively on the Gossip Girl set.

— derek blasberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Best Dressed: Beyoncé in Alexander McQueen, Jessica Biel in Giambattista Valli, Plus More!," 17 Aug. 2012
Check out these ravishing rooms from the pages of ELLE DECOR.

— elle decor staff, ELLE Decor, "January/February 2012 Web Exclusives," 14 Dec. 2011
In the second act, once peace has been reëstablished, Balanchine provides a suite of courtly dances, the pinnacle of which is a ravishing pas de deux illustrating love’s Platonic ideal.

— The New Yorker, "New York City Ballet," 23 May 2017
First staged at the Old Vic Theater in London, Mr. Jones’s interpretation, designed by Stewart Laing, is ravishing enough to please the sort of aesthetes who worship Robert Wilson’s exquisite dreamscapes.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Review: A Mesmerizing ‘Hairy Ape’ Brings Existentialism to Park Avenue," 31 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ravish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ravish

Middle English ravisshen, from Anglo-French raviss-, stem of ravir, from Vulgar Latin *rapire, alteration of Latin rapere to seize, rob — more at rapid

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First Known Use: 14th century

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