ravish

Seize with delight

Ravish has two meanings that pull in opposite directions.

The older sense is to seize and carry away by force, especially to rape—a meaning now largely confined to legal and historical contexts.

But ravish also means to fill with intense delight or ecstasy: She was ravished by the beauty of the landscape.

The adjective ravishing retains only the pleasant sense: a ravishing smile, a ravishing gown.

violate

assault

Violent offensive act

  • abuseCruel or violent treatment
  • forceStrength or compulsion
  • defileTo violate sanctity

despoil · violate · deflower · dishonor · outrage · victim · predator · perpetrator · trauma · survivor

captivate

mesmerize

Capture attention completely

enthrall · spellbind · bewitch · entrance · enrapture · transfix · charm · dazzle · allure · seduce

ecstasy

bliss

Perfect, serene felicity

exhilaration · thrill · intoxicate · swoon · overcome · overwhelm · fervor · passion · ardor · frenzy

beauty

stunning

Extremely impressive or beautiful

sublime · radiant · resplendent · glorious · magnificent · splendid · dazzling · lovely · beauteous · fair

Opposites
emotional transport/enchantment

ravishrepulse

Drive back or disgust

disgust · repel · disenchant · revolt · disillusion

sexual violence

ravishprotect

Keep from harm

defend · respect · cherish · shield · safeguard

Family

ravishing, ravished, ravishment, ravishes, ravisher

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated R