ravages
UK: ˈrævɪdʒɪz | US: ˈrævɪdʒɪz
n. the severely damaging or destructive effects of something
vt. to cause severe and widespread damage
The word "ravage" traces back to the French ravager, meaning "to devastate," derived from the Old French ravir ("to seize or plunder"). The root rav- (from Latin rapere, "to seize") implies violent taking or destruction, while -age denotes a process or result. Over time, "ravages" evolved to describe the aftermath of widespread destruction, often used for natural disasters, war, or time's decay.
The hurricane left the coastal town in ruins, its ravages visible for years.
War ravages not only landscapes but also human spirits.
The disease ravaged the population, leaving thousands homeless.
Time’s ravages had turned the once-grand castle into a crumbling relic.
Farmers struggled to recover from the ravages of the drought.