ravage 1 of 2

verb

Definition of ravagenext
as in to destroy
to bring destruction to (something) through violent action the hurricane ravaged the state and caused billions of dollars worth of damage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ravage

2 of 2

noun

as in ravaging

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ravage contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ravage are despoil, devastate, pillage, sack, and waste. While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

When would despoil be a good substitute for ravage?

In some situations, the words despoil and ravage are roughly equivalent. However, despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

When is it sensible to use devastate instead of ravage?

While the synonyms devastate and ravage are close in meaning, devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

How are the words pillage and sack related as synonyms of ravage?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.

settlements pillaged by Vikings

Where would sack be a reasonable alternative to ravage?

The meanings of sack and ravage largely overlap; however, sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

In what contexts can waste take the place of ravage?

While in some cases nearly identical to ravage, waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

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 ravage
Verb
But the team’s hope of building on that season fell apart in 2025 as injuries ravaged the roster and sidelined Daniels for 10 games. —Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026 The Niners were ravaged by injuries this past season, losing the services of some of pro football’s best players. —Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026 Injuries have ravaged Florida’s roster, with the Panthers regularly playing without anywhere from five to eight regulars. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026 The show’s landscape has long been mapped—and ravaged. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ravage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravage
  1. destroy
  2. ravaging
  3. devastate
  4. wrecking
  5. ruin
  6. destruction
  7. desecration
  8. ruination
Verb
  • More than 12,000 scrolls were once stored inside this second-century center of learning before a fire destroyed them in 262 CE.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Feeling bored, resentful and trapped by domestic life, Hedda hatches a plan to destroy her husband’s potential career rival, Eilert Lovberg, who happens to be her ex-lover.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of destroy
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
Definition of ravaging
Verb
  • The synthetic opioid is far more potent than heroin and has devastated communities across the country.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • In Kristin Dwyer's In Time With You (out March 3 from Wednesday Books), that's the conundrum facing Nieve Monroe, who's devastated after her boyfriend Carter dies saving her from drowning.
    — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of devastate
Noun
  • 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
  • In one case, the life of an upper-class woman and contemporary of Julius Caesar, Clodia, saw her reputation destroyed by false claims of harlotry, home-wrecking, and husband-killing.
    — Time, Time, 24 Nov. 2025
Definition of wrecking
Verb
  • Romero’s red card for a foul on Casemiro in the 29th minute of Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday ruined Frank’s game plan.
    — Jay Harris, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Applying baking soda to some surfaces or materials could ruin it, scratch it or lose its shine, according to the pros.
    — Lauren David, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of ruin
Noun
  • Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Though once vital to the economy of the American territory, Puerto Rico’s sugar plantations evolved to represent the destruction and exploitation of colonialism that continues to impact the region today—a detail not lost on those cast as grass.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of destruction
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of desecration
Noun
  • And to think that many thought MLB Free Agency in 1976 was the ruination of the sport.
    — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026
  • Advertisement What’s perhaps most critical around the plague is its embodiment of feelings of destruction and ruination.
    — Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
Definition of ruination

Browse Nearby Words

raunchy
ravage
ravaged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ravage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravage. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ravage

Nglish: Translation of ravage for Spanish Speakers

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