Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - ravage

 I. 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 ~s of time  II. verb  (~d; ravaging)  Date: circa 1611  transitive verb to wreak havoc on ; affect destructively a land ~d by war  intransitive verb to commit destructive actions  • ~ment noun  • ~r noun Synonyms:  ~, devastate, waste, sack, pillage, despoil mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying. ~ implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction a hurricane ~d 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.