ravage
Translation
to ravage, to devastate, to lay waste
Examples
The hurricane ravaged the coastal town.
The hurricane ravaged the coastal town.
The disease ravaged the population.
The disease ravaged the population.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to cause severe damage to (sth.) The hurricane ravaged the coastal town.
Similar Words
Synonyms: devastate, destroy, ruin, lay waste; Antonyms: build, restore, repair.
Etymology
From Old French 'ravager', from 'ravir' meaning 'to seize'. Related to 'ravish'.
Memory Tips
It sounds like 'rage'. Imagine a storm in a 'rage', 'ravaging' everything in its path.