n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: 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-m ə nt \ 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>.