I. ˈra-vij noun
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from ravir to ravish — more at ravish
Date: circa 1611
1. : an act or practice of ravaging
2. : damage resulting from ravaging : violently destructive effect
the ravage s of time
II. verb
( rav·aged ; rav·ag·ing )
Date: circa 1611
transitive verb
: to wreak havoc on : affect destructively
a land ravaged by war
intransitive verb
: to commit destructive actions
• rav·age·ment -vij-mənt noun
• rav·ag·er noun
Synonyms:
ravage , devastate , waste , sack , pillage , despoil mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying. ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction
a hurricane ravaged the coast
devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area
an earthquake devastated the city
waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action
years of drought had wasted the area
sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place
barbarians sacked ancient Rome
pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack
settlements pillaged by Vikings
despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction
the Nazis despoiled the art museums