ravaged
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Severely damaged or devastated: Describes something that has been extensively harmed, ruined, or laid waste, often as a result of violent force, war, or a destructive process. 2. Showing the severe effects of strain or hardship: Can describe a person's appearance, such as a face, that looks deeply worn, exhausted, or aged due to suffering, illness, or grief.
Usage and Examples
- Describing a place or landscape:
- After the battle, the ravaged city was almost unrecognizable.
- The forest was ravaged by the wildfire, leaving only blackened trees.
- Describing a person's appearance:
- Her face was ravaged by years of worry and sorrow.
- He looked ravaged after the long illness.
Advanced Usage
- "to be ravaged by [something]": This is the most common construction, specifying the cause of the destruction or damage.
- The coastal towns were ravaged by the hurricane.
- A generation was ravaged by the war.
- Figurative Use: Can be used non-literally to describe something severely depleted or harmed.
- The scandal ravaged the company's reputation.
- Her savings were ravaged by the economic crisis.
Variants and Related Words
- Ravage (verb): To cause severe and extensive damage to.
- The storm ravaged the island.
- Ravaging (noun/adjective): The act of causing ravage; causing devastation.
- The ravaging effects of the disease were tragic.
Synonyms
- Devastated: Laid waste, ruined.
- Despoiled: Robbed of possessions by force.
- Laid waste: Completely destroyed.
- Ruined: Brought to a state of destruction.
- Wrecked: Badly damaged or destroyed.
Antonyms
- Intact: Not damaged or impaired.
- Preserved: Kept safe from harm or decay.
- Pristine: In its original condition; unspoiled.
- Undamaged: Not harmed or injured.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- (To lay) waste to: A phrase with a very similar meaning, emphasizing complete destruction.
- The invading army laid waste to the countryside.
- War-torn: Specifically describes a place severely damaged by war.
- They fled the war-torn region.
Adjective
- having been robbed and destroyed by force and violence
- the raped countryside