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

My dad believed this outpatient clinic — which cost nearly $10,000 a week — could save him from the Stage 4 lung cancer ravaging his body. — Trisha Thadani Kirsten Potter Tanya Pérez Devin Murphy, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

By then, fire had ravaged the community; the report suggests that incident commanders were unaware of the devastation. — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

Temperatures are rising and normally rainy Salzburg now worries about water shortage and the environmental ravage of over-tourism. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026