as in ravage
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as in destroying
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action
the hurricane ravaged the state and caused billions of dollars worth of damage
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Recent Examples of ravaging
Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
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
Though humans are responsible for the ravaging of the coral reefs, to exist in a place like Dominica is to be a part of an ongoing cycle of destruction and regeneration.
—Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2024
Grace Dean, Space.com, 2 May 2026
The Thunder dug in their heels through two Game 7s, a title run and a season of ravaging injury luck.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Taiwanese friends have told me that the tariffs are ravaging their businesses.
—Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026
While the war is ravaging many parts of the Middle East, upending daily life in countries in that region, the effects in the United States are mostly economic so far.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2026
In this alternate past, a fatal blood virus, known informally as the Red Wind, has been ravaging the population for about a decade.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
This is a chilling history of a problem still ravaging significant swaths of America — not to mention elsewhere in the world.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Her consistent binge sessions are ravaging her spirit.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Of course, this being 1985, the rapidly escalating AIDS epidemic was already ravaging gay communities worldwide.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
But Haynes reminds her church flock to respond with love to the ravaging of their inclusive gesture.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
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
Though humans are responsible for the ravaging of the coral reefs, to exist in a place like Dominica is to be a part of an ongoing cycle of destruction and regeneration.
—Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2024
Verb
With disease ravaging Earth, Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) leads a group of astronauts out on an incredibly dangerous mission through a wormhole on a last-ditch attempt at finding somewhere else to live.
—Grace Dean, Space.com, 2 May 2026
The Thunder dug in their heels through two Game 7s, a title run and a season of ravaging injury luck.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Taiwanese friends have told me that the tariffs are ravaging their businesses.
—Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026
While the war is ravaging many parts of the Middle East, upending daily life in countries in that region, the effects in the United States are mostly economic so far.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2026
In this alternate past, a fatal blood virus, known informally as the Red Wind, has been ravaging the population for about a decade.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
This is a chilling history of a problem still ravaging significant swaths of America — not to mention elsewhere in the world.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Her consistent binge sessions are ravaging her spirit.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Of course, this being 1985, the rapidly escalating AIDS epidemic was already ravaging gay communities worldwide.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravaging
Verb
-
In the team's binary merger model, the compact object is close enough to its stellar companion to rip off its outer hydrogen layer without completely destroying the star.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
The fires hit close to home, destroying both Pratt’s Pacific Palisades residence and his parents’ home.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
Noun
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At least, there was a lot less wrecking.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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House Republicans approved the resolution last month despite conservationists’ warnings that the move would lead to devastating pollution in one of the country’s last remaining wild areas.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Two tornadoes ripped through west Michigan on April 14, devastating a family dairy farm in Fenick, releasing hundreds of cows and leaving thousands without power.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But Church, undeterred, was drawn to the idea that those processes offered lessons in destruction and renewal which could be applied to a nation teetering on civil war.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The bottom line is that the pressure on the great American people, because of these people who are, like, really intent on American and Israeli destruction with their nuclear weapons are still in power.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Noun
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In the filing, Omni Hotels outlined a five-year timeframe that would get the site fully designed, permitted and prepared for construction, noting construction would not start until at least five years after the demolishing of the buildings on site.—
Matthew Glowicki,
The Courier-Journal,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Gerlach is facing nearly 500 charges — including burglary, abuse of a corpse and desecration of monuments — tied to a disturbing investigation at Mount Moriah Cemetery near Philadelphia, the outlet reported.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Against desecration of our flag bill 4.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some of these are arranged into more staid compositions of geometric bands of color, while others bend and bulge into shapes evoking the baroque ruination of junk-yard findings.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The only thing that would satisfy the gremlin in me is the ruination of my freedom.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ravaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravaging. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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