What does ravage mean?
To ravage something is to subject it to violent and extensive damage, often leaving it ruined, consumed, or devastated. The verb is commonly used with land, cities, forests, crops, and buildings, although figurative expressions also describe the effects of disease, poverty, or emotional suffering on people. The associated noun refers to severe destruction or damage, especially when identified through a phrase such as "the ravages of war" or "the ravages of time." The word is more forceful than simply saying that something was damaged and more comprehensive than describing damage to one isolated object. It suggests widespread destruction, devastation, and lasting consequences. Ravage comes through French from a word connected with the Latin verb rapere, meaning "to seize or plunder," and it belongs to a family of English words involving forceful taking, violent destruction, and extreme desire.
To destroy, damage, or consume with great violence; to devastate.
"The invading forces ravaged villages along the frontier."
Often used with landscapes, settlements, buildings, crops, or the remains of an object. It can also be used figuratively for severe damage caused by disease or hardship.
Severe destruction, damage, or devastation.
"The old fort showed the ravages of decades of neglect."
Most often appears in the expression "the ravages of" followed by war, disease, time, or another destructive force.
Used chiefly in the fixed expression "the ravages of" to denote severe destruction or damage.
"Historians continue to study the ravages of the plague across Europe."
To ravage is to leave destruction so severe that the original landscape may seem unrecognizable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ravage
The word entered Middle English from Old French ravage, originally associated with ravines, destruction, or plundering, and from the French verb ravager, "to ravage." Its deeper roots are usually traced to Latin rapere, meaning "to seize, take, or plunder." The same ultimate root also appears in cognates such as ravine, rapacious, rapture, and rapine.
Related word forms
How ravage is actually used
The verb is strongly negative and usually implies violent or extensive damage. The noun is common in the fixed expression "the ravages of" followed by war, disease, time, or another destructive force.
Easily confused with ravage
To ravage something is to destroy it violently, whereas a ravine is a deep, narrow valley or gorge.
No distinction applies because this comparison identifies the headword itself.