What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ravaging
Example
The hurricane ravaged the coastal town, leaving behind a trail of destruction. [ravaged: past tense]
Example
The virus is ravaging the population, causing widespread illness and death. [ravaging: present participle]
devastating
Example
The devastating earthquake destroyed entire neighborhoods, leaving many homeless. [devastating: adjective]
Example
The news of her father's death was devastating, and she couldn't stop crying. [devastating: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Devastating is more commonly used than ravaging in everyday language. Devastating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ravaging is less common and refers to a more specific type of impact.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ravaging and devastating?
Both ravaging and devastating can be used in formal and informal contexts, but devastating may be more appropriate in formal writing due to its wider usage and stronger emotional impact.
