ravages of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ravages of conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the emotional or psychological turmoil caused by guilt or moral conflict. Example: "The ravages of conscience haunted him long after the decision was made, leaving him restless and tormented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Through absolute certainty, the president and most of his party can escape the ravages of conscience, but we the people cannot.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Dean describes him in act 3 as a trapped animal who refuses to leave his cage even when the door is opened for him, ravaged by a mix of conscience, jealousy and despair.

Wikipedia

One might say that contemporary anarchism is about responsibility, whether sexual, ecological or socio-economic; it flows from an experience of conscience about the manifold ways in which the West ravages the rest; it is an ethical outrage at the yawning inequality, impoverishment and disenfranchisment that is so palpable locally and globally".

Wikipedia

Featuring lead singer/mandolin player Annalyse McCoy, whose golden pipes resound from the hollers with the haunting beauty and power of a young Shawn Colvin and Patty Loveless, Stream of Conscience is an acoustic-driven foggy mountain breakdown that chronicles the ravages of mountaintop removal operations in the Appalachian hills.

Huffington Post

Feeling pangs of conscience?

The New York Times

A dialogue of conscience.

The Guardian - Books

A vote of conscience?

The Guardian - Opinion

A drama of conscience.

The Guardian

A man of conscience".

The New Yorker

It is the call of conscience.

The New Yorker

James Hansen is a powerful voice of conscience.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ravages of conscience" to describe the prolonged and destructive effects of guilt or moral conflict on a person's mental or emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "ravages of conscience" to describe external consequences or events that are not directly related to internal moral struggles. The phrase should primarily refer to the internal, psychological impact of guilt or ethical dilemmas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ravages of conscience" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition to describe the destructive impact of guilt or moral conflict. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, with examples showing it describing internal emotional states.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ravages of conscience" describes the destructive impact of guilt or moral conflict on a person's mental and emotional state. While grammatically correct, it is relatively rare, appearing mostly in News & Media and Wiki sources, according to Ludwig AI. As Ludwig examples show, related phrases like "torment of guilt" or "troubled conscience" are more common. When using the phrase, be sure to focus on the internal psychological effects rather than external events. To enhance clarity and impact, explore alternative expressions that closely match the intended meaning and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guilty conscience

A common way to describe the feeling of guilt caused by one's actions.

troubled conscience

A more direct and common way to describe a conscience that is causing problems.

torment of guilt

Focuses more on the feeling of guilt rather than the destructive effects.

pangs of remorse

Highlights the sharp, sudden feelings of regret.

burden of guilt

Emphasizes the weight and oppressiveness of feeling guilty.

moral anguish

Emphasizes the pain and distress caused by a moral dilemma.

remorseful feelings

Highlights the feeling of deep regret and sorrow for past actions.

inner turmoil

Describes a state of internal unrest and conflict, not necessarily tied to conscience.

ethical distress

Focuses on the unease and suffering arising from ethical considerations.

moral scruples

Highlights the hesitation and doubts caused by one's conscience.

FAQs

What does "ravages of conscience" mean?

The phrase "ravages of conscience" refers to the damaging and destructive effects that guilt or moral conflict can have on a person's mental and emotional well-being. It suggests a prolonged period of suffering and inner turmoil.

How can I use "ravages of conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "ravages of conscience" to describe the long-term impact of a difficult decision or unethical action on someone's mental state. For example, "The "torment of guilt" haunted him long after the decision was made, leaving him restless and tormented."

What are some alternatives to "ravages of conscience"?

Some alternatives to "ravages of conscience" include "torment of guilt", "pangs of remorse", "burden of guilt", or "inner turmoil". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "ravages of conscience" a common phrase?

"Ravages of conscience" is not a very common phrase but is grammatically correct. More common ways to describe a similar state include "guilty conscience" or "troubled conscience".