ravage 1 of 2

ravage

2 of 2

noun

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

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 ravage
Noun
That anxiety is born out of a history of Black communities being ravaged by law enforcement stops for minor infractions that escalate into much more. Curtis Bunn, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2025 In places like Haiti, ravaged by gang violence, governance has almost all but collapsed. Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025 After high school, Doyne began her work after meeting a young girl in Surkhet, Nepal, whose life was ravaged during the country’s decades-long civil conflict. Allie Torgan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025 The death toll in Gaza has surpassed sixty-seven thousand, with the enclave so ravaged that Israel has become something of an international pariah. Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ravage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravage
Verb
  • The fear of further Israeli strikes, particularly on Iran, remains acute in the public’s mind as much of Iranian air defenses likely were destroyed by Israel in June.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The Wild were absolutely destroyed in the faceoff circle, losing 44 of 71 (38 percent success rate).
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The question of whether or not Uniqlo is fast fashion or sustainable fashion or ethical fashion has perhaps become irrelevant in a world in which fashion—no modifier needed—is increasingly culpable for the ravaging of the planet.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Though the large recall sent shockwaves through the EV space, many fans of the nameplate were left devastated because of its initial positive reception.
    Charles Singh, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Suspect arrest in deadly Palisades Fire The man accused of starting a fire that eventually became the deadly blaze that devastated the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles earlier this year has been indicted by a federal grand jury, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
    Alex Stone, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The coaches also decided King’s wrecking-ball approach was effective.
    Seth Emerson, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The addresses listed in the wrecking permits border the east of the truck plant where Ford makes its iconic Super Duty trucks, Expedition SUVs and luxury Lincoln Navigators.
    Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Back in January, Preston remembered filming My Best Friend’s Wedding — and how an iconic scene ruined crab and lobster for her.
    Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Packages of flying tortillas thrown at the wrong time, or pocket knives, would only hurt a reputation that Texas Tech has worked doggedly to change and show that the Red Raiders are at home on a national stage, and not the crazy drunk uncle ruining a holiday.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Aghion and Howitt studied the mechanisms behind sustained growth, including in a 1992 article that offered a complex mathematical model for creative destruction that added new aspects not included in earlier models.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Still, through the summer of 2020, stories of statue destruction emerged from all corners of the country.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In fact, the party came within a single vote of getting a constitutional amendment prohibiting desecration of the flag through Congress two decades ago.
    Frederic J. Frommer, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Its desecration has sparked international outcry and raised concerns about security at major religious sites.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To call it a Life Ruiner is not to say that a life of letters is necessarily ruination—but rather, to identify it as the book . . .
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Fetterman and McCormick set for high-stakes Pennsylvania forum MAJOR HEADLINES ‘DAMAGING DECISION’ – Trump says tariff ruling could lead to 'economic ruination' of US.
    , FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ravage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravage. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ravage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!