Ravish

To ravish is to seize and carry away by force; to abduct or rape. Figuratively, it means to fill (someone) with intense delight; to enrapture or enchant. The word carries a strong connotation of overwhelming, often passionate, emotion, whether physical, aesthetic, or emotional. Historically, the primary meaning centered on violent seizure and sexual assault, but the figurative meaning, reflecting being consumed by delight, has gained significant usage over time. The impact of the word is always intense, highlighting an experience of being utterly captivated or overpowered. The context largely determines if the emotion relates to either the literal and physical act or the figurative state of immense pleasure.

Ravish meaning with examples

• The pirate's crew sought to ravish the merchant's daughter, a terrifying prospect that led to their swift and brutal demise at the hands of her protectors. This example highlights the literal, violent meaning of abduction and intended sexual assault, a key facet of the word's historical usage. The gravity of the situation is undeniable.
• The sunset over the ocean, a canvas of fiery hues, seemed to ravish the entire coastline, casting a spell of golden light across the sand. Here, the word denotes a sense of being overwhelmed and captivated by natural beauty. The visual splendor 'ravished' the viewer’s senses, inducing intense pleasure.
• The symphony's crescendo, a cascade of sound and emotion, seemed to ravish the audience, leaving them breathless and moved to tears. This example uses the figurative sense of overwhelming delight in a performance. The intense emotions created were so extreme, they took control of the audience's feelings.
• Critics claimed the film's plot was going to ravish viewers with its shocking twists and turns, creating a state of anticipation for its debut. This application emphasizes an enthralling narrative that the plot holds, ensuring complete audience engagement. The shocking, yet enjoyable, content would have been an immense pleasure.
• The novel's prose, with its lyrical beauty and evocative descriptions, threatened to ravish the reader with its power to transport them into another world, creating a completely immersive reading experience. It suggests that readers will be so engaged by the written word, that their pleasure will cause complete immersion and captive their attention.