ravish

verb

rav·ish | \ ˈra-vish

How to pronounce ravish (audio)

\

ravished; ravishing; ravishes

Definition of ravish

transitive verb

1a : to seize and take away by violence

b : to overcome with emotion (such as joy or delight) ravished by the scenic beauty

c : rape entry 1 sense 1

2 : plunder, rob

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Synonyms for ravish

Synonyms

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 on the Web Caroline had seen fit to have her pony make the homeward trip with its hindquarters thrust into Delphine’s ravished clothes. — Zora Neale Hurston, Harper's magazine, "The Country in the Woman," 6 Jan. 2020 Throwback romantics can be ravished by the unparalleled vocal stylings of Lalah Hathaway (Nov. 15, Sony Hall), and millennial audiences will find a patron saint in the unfeigned lyricism of Summer Walker (Dec. 7-8, Terminal 5). — Briana Younger, The New Yorker, "Winter Night-Life Preview," 1 Nov. 2019 There was surely formal kinship — ravishing color, gestural verve — and personal admiration. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "This Boston artist shunned the limelight. He deserves to be famous.," 1 Aug. 2019 The choral music flips back and forth from the bamboo grove to the center of the atrium and to speakers installed on the baobab tree, creating sonic experiences of intimacy, grandeur and ravishing beauty. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Emeka Ogboh installation fills CMA atrium with sound of Nigeria and timely message of diversity," 11 Aug. 2019 Set during China’s Three Kingdoms era (A.D. 220-280), this action extravaganza ravishes the retina with only a narrow segment of spectrum. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘Shadow’ Review: Not Everything Is Black and White," 2 May 2019 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

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.

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Cite this Entry

“Ravish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ravish. Accessed 10 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for ravish

ravish

verb

rav·ish | \ ˈra-vish

\

ravished; ravishing

Kids Definition of ravish

1 : to seize and take away by force

2 : to fill with joy or delight

ravish

transitive verb

rav·ish | \ ˈra-vish

\

Legal Definition of ravish

: rape

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