ravage 1 of 2

ravage

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noun

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
Noun
The blaze that ravaged the LA suburb of Altadena in January stopped some 50 feet short of the freelance cinematographer’s home, but its plumes filtered through doors and windows, leaving behind lead and other hazardous substances. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025 On the news, Ukraine was ravaged. Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025 In November 1996, a fire ravaged the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery. Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 10 Sep. 2025 The Airport fire’s wreckage remains largely unchanged, as if frozen in time by the flames that ravaged parts of Orange and Riverside counties and destroyed more than 100 homes last year. Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ravage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravage
Verb
  • Some are value-destroying black holes; others are relentless value creators.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The first instance of NATO nations downing drones came last week, when Polish and Dutch fighters destroyed three Russian drones over Poland.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • On September 7, dog owner Brittany U'Wren was devastated to learn that her rescue Shitzu mix, named Lexi, had escaped through the garage and disappeared from her home in Lexington, Kentucky.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Ajok said that a friend, a fellow Ugandan athlete, told her that after taking medication and undergoing surgery in order to compete, they were left feeling devastated.
    Amy Woodyatt, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The wrecking begins when Carey (Marvin), Paul’s best friend, ill-advisedly sleeps with Julie—and then, more ill-advisedly still, confesses it to Paul the next day.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Some hardware is brass-plated, which means scrubbing could expose the metal underneath and ruin the finish.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The developing cauldron would trap Russian troops with few options beyond surrender or destruction.
    David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Earth, meanwhile, has so far been unable to bring about its own destruction.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Years before, many conservatives—including myself—spoke out against grievance studies, the 1619 Project, the desecration of the curriculum.
    Ayaan Hirsi Ali, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
  • His wife Sherrie Parker, 41, and their son, Deshawn Thomas, 22, are charged with desecration of human remains and fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence, according to officials.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • To call it a Life Ruiner is not to say that a life of letters is necessarily ruination—but rather, to identify it as the book . . .
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Fetterman and McCormick set for high-stakes Pennsylvania forum MAJOR HEADLINES ‘DAMAGING DECISION’ – Trump says tariff ruling could lead to 'economic ruination' of US.
    , FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ravage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravage. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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