What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ravage
Example
The hurricane ravaged the coastal town, leaving behind a trail of destruction. [ravaged: past tense]
Example
The invading army ravaged the countryside, burning and pillaging everything in their path. [ravaging: present participle]
devastate
Example
The news of her father's death devastated her. [devastated: past tense]
Example
The earthquake devastated the city, leaving thousands homeless and without basic necessities. [devastating: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Devastate is more commonly used than ravage in everyday language. Devastate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ravage is less common and is typically used in more specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ravage and devastate?
Both ravage and devastate are formal words that are typically used in serious or somber contexts, such as news reports or discussions of tragedy or disaster.
