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

On her 18th birthday, an anxious young woman, Amy (Alexa Swinton) is faced with a family curse that has ravaged her bloodline. —Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026

More than 15,000 acres have burned as wildfires continue to ravage the region. —Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026

Wildfire emergency in the Southeast As two major wildfires continue to ravage southern Georgia, state officials and investigators said Friday the blazes may have been sparked by two unnatural events, one of which involved a wayward balloon. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026

Starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson as the titular pop superstar, the movie has been ravaged by critics. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026