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
Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 13 Feb. 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
Already the fires ravaging the hillsides forced 50,000 people to evacuate.
—Javier Torres, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Of course, this being 1985, the rapidly escalating AIDS epidemic was already ravaging gay communities worldwide.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
The program centers in part on combating the spread of the European green crab, an invasive species that is ravaging local ecosystems.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025
Hurricane Melissa, currently ravaging the Caribbean, is a perfect example of why climate adaptation finance is so badly needed.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Sean Paul is doing his part to help minimize and repair the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, which is currently ravaging his homeland of Jamaica.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 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
Verb
Because the nerves were already ravaging his poise.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 13 Feb. 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
Already the fires ravaging the hillsides forced 50,000 people to evacuate.
—Javier Torres, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Of course, this being 1985, the rapidly escalating AIDS epidemic was already ravaging gay communities worldwide.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
The program centers in part on combating the spread of the European green crab, an invasive species that is ravaging local ecosystems.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025
Hurricane Melissa, currently ravaging the Caribbean, is a perfect example of why climate adaptation finance is so badly needed.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Sean Paul is doing his part to help minimize and repair the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, which is currently ravaging his homeland of Jamaica.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravaging
Verb
-
The beams would be far brighter than the full moon and, even if carefully pointed, would scatter in the atmosphere to be very bright off-beam, disrupting wildlife and effectively destroying the sky’s remaining natural beauty by erasing the stars from our sight.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
-
An estimated 50,000 pounds of ice collapsed the sanctuary roof, destroying nearly everything.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At least, there was a lot less wrecking.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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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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Through the implementation of strong border policies, fentanyl trafficking across the southern border has been slashed in half, leading to fewer overdose deaths devastating American families.—
Gabe Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
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The Los Angeles County district attorney is investigating whether Southern California Edison should be criminally prosecuted for its actions in last year’s devastating Eaton wildfire, which killed 19 people and left thousands of families homeless, the company said Wednesday.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Oil prices could soar above $100 over the coming days or weeks if the Iran war continues, analysts said, potentially rising even higher if any destruction of oil infrastructure or transit routes appears long-lasting.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
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Designed for maximum destruction, heavy-hitter Khorramshahr carries a massive 1,500 kg (3,300-pound) warhead with a 2,000 km (1,240 miles) range.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 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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Brothers Keith and Terrence Nicks were found guilty by separate juries of desecration of human remains, removal of human remains and removal of more than 10 gravestones and markers.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Later that day, her 25-year-old son, Khadir Jones, was arrested and charged with desecration of human remains, My Central Jersey reported.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And to think that many thought MLB Free Agency in 1976 was the ruination of the sport.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
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Advertisement What’s perhaps most critical around the plague is its embodiment of feelings of destruction and ruination.—
Nathan Smith,
Time,
26 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ravaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravaging. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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