ravish

Definition of ravishnext
1
as in to delight
to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight) travelers have long been ravished with wonder and awe by the immensity of the Great Pyramid at Giza

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2
as in to violate
to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent invaders guilty of murdering and ravishing villagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ravish There’s even a cuck chair in their bedroom where the husband watches his wife being ravished. Adrian Matejka, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025 Thousands of onlookers gathered in the streets outside the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills as Taylor—then just 18 and ravishing in yards of white satin encrusted with seed pearls—raced to the ceremony. Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025 But each night, Hero’s stories before bedtime prove so entrancing that Manfred fails to go through with any seducing, let alone ravishing. Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025 Go around and ravish each other, lovers. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ravish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravish
Verb
  • SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
    Hilke Schellmann, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Every detail has been carefully designed to delight guests, from the private balconies with ocean views to the terraces with hot tubs.
    José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This violates the 4th Amendment, which protects people (including noncitizens) from unreasonable searches and seizures in their homes.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
  • But a spokesperson for Kelly said the governor has deep concerns that SB 387 could jeopardize Kansas’ $250 million in federal school meal funding and potentially violate the Legislature’s school funding obligations set by the Kansas Supreme Court.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In the meantime, the sanitation department is appealing to the ethos of New Yorkers to please, be a good neighbor.
    CBS News, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • This recipe starts with a pound of ground round and adds delicious warming flavors to make a truly crowd-pleasing soup.
    Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The Super Bowl is one of the few cultural events to enrapture the entire nation.
    Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Each of the eight best new artist nominees was given a solo performance slot, but none delivered a set as immersive and enrapturing as Doechii’s.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Systematic excavations at Pompeii began in the mid-1700s, and the site has fascinated historians and visitors ever since.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Then, there are the pesky vampirologists Theobastus Bombastus (André Jung) and Nepomuk Afterbite (Marco Lorenzini), who’ve arrived at this hotel for a vampire conference and are fascinated by Erzsébet’s legend, and my god, her gowns, too.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Breakfast Habits to Boost Your Energy Fortunately, several delicious and nutritious breakfast habits can boost energy levels and satisfy your cravings.
    Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Pizza fans can find casual, satisfying slices at Mezza Luna Pizza, which offers a relaxed, counter-service experience.
    Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Along with the clear Bowie and Orbison inspiration, the album’s influences reflect the tastes of someone recently enchanted by the romance of California.
    Millan Verma, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Saturn and Neptune both yeet themselves out of your relationship house forever (kind of), and Venus swoops in to re-enchant your unions.
    Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Two Atlanta authors publish three new books this winter aimed to enthrall readers between the ages of 2 and 18.
    Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 1 Feb. 2026
  • He was enthralled by the macaroni and cheese here, pasta shells in a creamy, white, cheesy sauce.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ravish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravish. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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