Wreak vs. Ravage — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 19, 2023
"Wreak" means to cause or inflict, often used with "havoc." "Ravage" means to severely damage or destroy. Both depict harm, but "wreak" emphasizes causation while "ravage" focuses on the damage done.
Difference Between Wreak and Ravage
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Key Differences
"Wreak" and "Ravage" both convey a sense of destruction, but they are employed differently in the language. "Wreak" often requires an object, such as "havoc" or "vengeance," denoting the type of damage being caused. For instance, storms can wreak havoc, while individuals might wreak vengeance.
"Ravage," on the other hand, emphasizes the severity of the damage done rather than the act of causing it. It paints a picture of thorough destruction, especially pertaining to areas or landscapes. A town might be ravaged by war, and crops can be ravaged by pests.
In terms of usage, "wreak" is more about the action of bringing about harm or destruction, while "ravage" describes the aftermath or the extent of the destruction. A hurricane might wreak destruction on a coastline and, in turn, ravage entire communities.
It's crucial to understand the distinction between these words to use them accurately. One might say that a virus can wreak havoc on a population, leading to social and economic impacts. Conversely, the long-term effects of that same virus can ravage a community, highlighting the severe devastation left in its wake.
Another notable difference lies in their grammatical applications. While "wreak" is primarily used as a verb, "ravage" can function both as a verb and a noun. For example, one could speak about the ravages of time or how time can ravage something.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Verb
Both verb and noun
Focus
Act of causing harm
The damage or destruction caused
Common Complements
Havoc, vengeance
Land, community, crops
Grammatical Application
Requires an object
Can stand alone
Context
More about causation
Emphasizes severity of destruction
Compare with Definitions
Wreak
To cause or inflict damage.
The storm wreaked chaos across the city.
Ravage
To damage or destroy severely.
The wildfires ravaged the forest.
Wreak
To express or vent one's feelings forcefully.
He wreaked his anger on the boxing bag.
Ravage
To lay waste or ruin to an area.
The hurricane ravaged the coastline.
Wreak
To exact punishment or revenge.
The protagonist sought to wreak vengeance on the villain.
Ravage
To consume or deplete resources voraciously.
Locusts ravaged the farmer's crops.
Wreak
To bring about a negative outcome.
The decision wreaked unforeseen consequences.
Ravage
Destructive effects or aftermath.
The ravages of war were evident everywhere.
Wreak
To produce or provoke a response.
The announcement wreaked uproar in the community.
Ravage
The act of pillaging or plundering.
Pirates are known for the ravages they leave behind.
Wreak
Cause (a large amount of damage or harm)
The environmental damage wreaked by ninety years of phosphate mining
Torrential rainstorms wreaked havoc yesterday
Ravage
Cause severe and extensive damage to
The hurricane ravaged southern Florida
Wreak
To bring about (damage or destruction, for example)
Wreak havoc.
Ravage
The destructive effects of something
His face had withstood the ravages of time
Wreak
To inflict (vengeance or punishment) upon a person.
Ravage
To bring heavy destruction on; devastate
A tornado ravaged the town.
Wreak
To give vent to or act upon (one's feelings)
"He sought for some excuse to wreak his hatred upon Tarzan" (Edgar Rice Burroughs).
Ravage
To pillage; sack
Enemy soldiers ravaged the village.
Wreak
(Archaic) To take vengeance for; avenge.
Ravage
To wreak destruction.
Wreak
(transitive) To cause harm; to afflict; to inflict; to harm or injure; to let out harm.
The earthquake wreaked havoc in the city.
She wreaked her anger on his car.
Ravage
The act or practice of pillaging or destroying
The marauders' ravage of the village.
Wreak
(transitive) To chasten, or chastise/chastize, or castigate, or punish, or smite.
The police abused their authority to wreak an innocent.
The criminal has been wreaked by the Judge to spend a year in prison.
Ravage
Destruction, damage, or harm
The storm resulted in the ravage of the countryside.
Wreak
(archaic) To inflict or take vengeance on.
Ravage
Ravages Destructive or harmful effects
The ravages of disease.
Wreak
(archaic) To take vengeance for.
Ravage
(transitive) To devastate or destroy something.
Wreak
(intransitive) reek
Ravage
(transitive) To pillage or sack something, to lay waste to something.
Wreak
Revenge; vengeance; furious passion; resentment.
Ravage
(intransitive) To wreak destruction.
Wreak
Punishment; retribution; payback.
Ravage
(slang) To have vigorous sexual intercourse with.
Wreak
To reck; to care.
Ravage
(slang) To rape.
Wreak
To revenge; to avenge.
He should wreake him on his foes.
Another's wrongs to wreak upon thyself.
Come wreak his loss, whom bootless ye complain.
Ravage
Grievous damage or havoc.
Wreak
To execute in vengeance or passion; to inflict; to hurl or drive; as, to wreak vengeance on an enemy.
On me let Death wreak all his rage.
Now was the time to be avenged on his old enemy, to wreak a grudge of seventeen years.
But gather all thy powers,And wreak them on the verse that thou dost weave.
Ravage
Depredation or devastation.
The ravage of a lion
The ravages of fire or tempest
The ravages of an army
The ravages of time
Wreak
Revenge; vengeance; furious passion; resentment.
Ravage
Desolation by violence; violent ruin or destruction; devastation; havoc; waste; as, the ravage of a lion; the ravages of fire or tempest; the ravages of an army, or of time.
Would one think 't were possible for loveTo make such ravage in a noble soul?
Wreak
Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence;
I cannot work a miracle
Wreak havoc
Bring comments
Play a joke
The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
Ravage
To lay waste by force; to desolate by violence; to commit havoc or devastation upon; to spoil; to plunder; to consume.
Already CæsarHas ravaged more than half the globe.
His lands were daily ravaged, his cattle driven away.
Ravage
(usually plural) a destructive action;
The ravages of time
The depradations of age and disease
Ravage
Make a pillaging or destructive raid on (a place), as in wartimes
Ravage
Devastate or ravage;
The enemy lay waste to the countryside after the invasion
Common Curiosities
Are "wreak" and "ravage" synonyms?
They're related but have distinct nuances; "wreak" emphasizes causation, while "ravage" focuses on damage.
Can "ravage" be used as a noun?
Yes, "ravage" can describe the destructive effects, as in the ravages of war.
Can I say "wreaked the land"?
It's more appropriate to say "ravaged the land" or "wreaked havoc on the land."
What does "wreak havoc" mean?
It means to cause significant disruption or damage.
Is "ravage" always negative?
Generally, yes. It conveys severe harm or damage.
Is "ravage" always about physical destruction?
Mostly, but it can also describe severe depletion or consumption.
Which word is older, "wreak" or "ravage"?
Both have old origins, but "wreak" has Old English roots, while "ravage" traces back to Old French.
Can "wreak" be used without an object?
Typically, no. You'd often wreak something, like havoc or vengeance.
What's the noun form of "wreak"?
"Wreak" itself doesn't have a direct noun form like "ravage" does.
Does "wreak" always indicate damage?
Mostly, but it emphasizes the act of causing, be it damage, a response, or an emotion.
Can "ravage" imply thorough destruction?
Yes, "ravage" often indicates extensive damage or devastation.
Is "ravaged by time" a correct usage?
Yes, it indicates being severely affected or worn down over time.
Can we use "ravage" for emotions?
While less common, yes. One can be ravaged by guilt or sorrow, for example.
Which word is more intense?
"Ravage" often conveys a stronger sense of destruction than "wreak."
How do I remember the difference?
Think of "wreak" as the act of causing and "ravage" as the result or extent of damage.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
