ravage 1 of 2

ravage

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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
Verb
Antonioni’s first color film is an audiovisual tour de force, with Carlo Di Palma’s stark images conjuring a world whose external ravages reflect and reinforce the soul-sickness of modern man, masterfully embodied by Vitti’s lead performance. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 May 2025 But social adaptation has also played a role: many people have come to rely on zero COVID to protect them from the ravages they are told have taken place elsewhere in the world. Yanzhong Huang, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2022
Noun
How could the same country that was bested by a ragtag militia in its own backyard turn around and ravage multiple regional powers with devastating decapitation strikes? Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025 It was ravaged by disease, rather than simply serene. Kambole Campbell, Variety, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ravage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravage
Verb
  • In September 2024, the same month as the pager attack and assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Israel launched the most extensive campaign of airstrikes in the air force’s history hitherto, destroying much of Hezbollah’s strategic surface-to-surface missile stockpiles.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • As rumors swirl and her life collapses, Eva faces a choice: protect herself or expose Amir’s secret and risk destroying him.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • People were aware of the risk of fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and a 1923 magnitude 8 earthquake and firestorm that devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, causing an astonishing 142,800 deaths, according to the USGS.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • He’s been through adversity and grown stronger James’ drive to give back began during his freshman year at Tulane, when Hurricane Ida devastated New Orleans.
    Shane Connuck June 26, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2025
  • And just like that, Donald Trump ruined something else.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • July 6, 2025: A large scale of destruction in Georgetown, downed trees show the aftermath of raging floodwaters in the South San Gabriel River.
    Hannah Parry Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • Distressed styles have also done incredibly well for the brand, with two of its top seasonal styles featuring varying degrees of abrasion, from light fading to medium destruction.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • The Titanic isn't just a shipwreck — it’s widely regarded as a maritime grave, and some view any disturbance as a form of desecration.
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 2025
  • Nearly two weeks later, Blevins was charged Jan. 3 with second-degree desecration of human remains and third-degree hindering apprehension after a law enforcement investigation, according to officials.
    Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Charged with gun possession and bribing a witness, Mr. Combs stood trial for seven weeks in early 2001, facing the possibility of 15 years in prison — and, possibly, the ruination of his career.
    Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Ravage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravage. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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