Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

ravage

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of ravage

to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
  • the hurricane ravaged the state and caused billions of dollars worth of damage
Synonyms of ravage

destroy, devastate, ruin, scourge
Words Related to ravage

despoil, foray, harry, loot, maraud, pillage, plunder, sack, strip

annihilate, desolate, eradicate, expunge, extinguish, extirpate, nuke, obliterate, rub out, shatter, smash, total, vaporize, waste, wipe out, wrack, wreck

decimate, mow

demolish, raze

crush, overpower, overrun, overthrow, overwhelm
Near Antonyms of ravage

recondition, recover, redeem, rehabilitate, restore

fix, mend, patch, repair, revamp

Synonym Discussion of ravage

ravage, devastate, waste, sack, pillage, despoil mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying. ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.
    • a hurricane ravaged the coast
devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.
    • an earthquake devastated the city
waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.
    • years of drought had wasted the area
sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.
    • barbarians sacked ancient Rome
pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.
    • settlements pillaged by Vikings
despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.
    • the Nazis despoiled the art museums

Learn More about ravage

  1. See words that rhyme with ravage Dictionary: Definition of ravage Spanish Central: Translation of ravage Nglish: Translation of ravage for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ravage for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ravage? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games