Definitions

ravage

[rav-ij] / ˈræv ɪdʒ /

VERB

destroy, ransack

Synonyms

STRONGEST

consume damage demolish devastate disrupt gut impair overrun overwhelm pillage plunder raze ruin shatter sweep away wreck

STRONG

annihilate capture cream crush desecrate desolate despoil dismantle disorganize exterminate extinguish forage foray harry loot overthrow pirate prey prostrate raid rape rob sack seize sink smash spoil strip total trample trash waste wrest

WEAK

break up lay waste leave in ruins pull down spoliate stamp out wreak havoc

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist build construct create fix help improve mend repair

STRONG

bear free give grow guard let go liberate lose offer praise preserve protect release save surrender yield

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They can eat a quarter of their body weight in vegetation, burrow destructively and ravage waterways and ecosystems.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

The Citrini selloff latched onto the market’s recent paranoia that artificial intelligence could ravage established players in a range of industries.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

The Antonine Plague, perhaps a form of smallpox, had begun to ravage the empire, as it would for more than a decade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

The parents said the fire service arrived "really quickly" but it had "felt like forever" as they were watching the fire ravage their home.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2025

What springs into my mind are those news reports about tornadoes or fires, how they’ll ravage one house but leave the one next door intact.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

Vocabulary lists containing ravage

The Declaration of Independence

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"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry

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A Long Way Gone

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