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
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
It should also never be forgotten that the five who approved this ravaging of the city’s beach are the exact same five who voted to give themselves enormous pay raises and more lavish health care benefits last July — another stealth move with scant notice to the taxpaying public.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
27 May 2026
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
ABC News,
4 June 2026
And with injuries ravaging Canada’s back line, Sigur has the quality to quickly become an important part of their World Cup.
—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
In the penultimate episode, a fire at the Pineville Dam spiraled out of control, ravaging the infrastructure and causing the dam to break.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
But Haiti’s ravaging cycle of violence is increasingly making even this hard as the game Haitians love increasingly become a casualty of the gang wars.
—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
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
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
Noun
This season’s ravaging reached further, for guards and wings and virtually anyone of relevance.
—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
It should also never be forgotten that the five who approved this ravaging of the city’s beach are the exact same five who voted to give themselves enormous pay raises and more lavish health care benefits last July — another stealth move with scant notice to the taxpaying public.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
27 May 2026
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
Temperatures have risen in oceans faster due to climate change, super-charging storms and drought, ravaging coral reefs across the world, and endangering species in tandem with overfishing and industrial pollution.
—
ABC News,
4 June 2026
And with injuries ravaging Canada’s back line, Sigur has the quality to quickly become an important part of their World Cup.
—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
In the penultimate episode, a fire at the Pineville Dam spiraled out of control, ravaging the infrastructure and causing the dam to break.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
But Haiti’s ravaging cycle of violence is increasingly making even this hard as the game Haitians love increasingly become a casualty of the gang wars.
—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravaging
Noun
-
In Bird Box, mysterious entities that drive people who look at them completely insane ravage the planet, and the only way to survive is to not look at them.
-
Today, doctors consider schizophrenia and bipolar disorder as the two chief categories of severe mental illness; the first ravages the mind, the second the emotions.
Verb
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Strikes and artillery fire were reported across Nabatieh district, destroying homes and residential buildings, according to NNA.
-
One video shows a surface to air missile hitting a drone but not destroying it; the drone crashes to the ground and explodes.
Noun
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At least, there was a lot less wrecking.
-
The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.
Verb
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Loss of this support, which is said to cover 25% of the center’s operating costs, would have been devastating both financially and reputationally.
-
These giant invasive snakes are devastating the Everglades ecosystem by eating through the native food web without any natural predators to keep them in check.
Noun
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David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, told the the Washington Post he was arrested on June 19 and charged with misdemeanor destruction of government property.
-
This came on the heels of another round of tornadoes just four days earlier that leveled buildings and caused widespread destruction across the region.
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.
Noun
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However, the Supreme Court in several cases has struck down any improper use or desecration of the flag on the grounds of free speech, according to the Library of Congress’ most frequently asked questions about flag law.
-
He was charged in Linn County, Kansas with interference with law enforcement, criminal desecration and having a vicious dog at large.
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.
-
The only thing that would satisfy the gremlin in me is the ruination of my freedom.
Cite this Entry
“Ravaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravaging. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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