ravishment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ravishment" is correct and usable in written English, though it is somewhat archaic and less common in modern usage.
It can be used in contexts relating to intense pleasure or delight, often in a poetic or literary sense, or in legal contexts referring to abduction or sexual assault. Example: "The beauty of the sunset filled her with a sense of ravishment that she could hardly describe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

THE ability to excite is not a quality highly prized among central bankers, and certainly not in Threadneedle Street, where the Old Lady synonymous with the Bank of England has from her first depiction in 1797 on the point of ravishment at the hands of a lustful prime minister abhorred anything approaching a shock.

The Economist

Yet no formal right of ravishment ever licensed them.

Independent

The scene of seduction features a searing intimate detail, as Anthony describes it, an extraordinary long shot in which she stands alone in her lover's living room — high-heeled, bare-assed, skirt hiked up, leaning against a couch and awaiting ravishment.

The New Yorker

Moody works it out (something to do with cities, women, music, and ravishment), but, by the end, any notion of the "direct treatment of the 'thing' " has vanished.

The New Yorker

With many singers of comparable virtuosity, one hears the words as something of an afterthought; musical ravishment comes before dramatic sense.

The New Yorker

When the original "Sylvia" had its première, at the Paris Opéra, in 1876, it got a so-so reception, and it would probably soon have been retired and forgotten but for its splendid score, by Léo Delibes, which is full of lyric ravishment and, at the same time, symphonic depth: rhythmic complexity, dramatic force, and, above all, gorgeous French orchestrations.

The New Yorker

The rest is ravishment, with something dodgy in it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Taibele's lonely need is such that, like Singer's readers, she willingly submits to the ravishments of the imagination.

The New Yorker

There is a white image magic that feeds humanism and infuses art with healthy Dionysian passion, and there is a black image magic that causes us to surrender reason to ravishments of our own fixations.

The New Yorker

I've always shared in what Rousseau, in his "Reveries of a Solitary Walker," calls "these ravishments, these ecstasies" that arise while wandering through the city, and they're all the keener under the enduring spell of a good movie.

The New Yorker

Yet none of this undid the ravishments, or even the tenderness, of the ballet.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ravishment", be mindful of its archaic nature and potential for misinterpretation. Consider whether a more modern or precise term would be more appropriate for your audience and context.

Common error

Avoid using "ravishment" excessively in contemporary writing, especially when describing mild enjoyment or appreciation. Overuse can sound affected or unintentionally humorous.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ravishment" is that of a noun. It can refer to a state of intense pleasure or delight or to the act of seizing someone by force, as exemplified by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Books

14%

Arts

11%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "ravishment" can denote both intense pleasure and forceful seizure, carrying a dual connotation that requires careful consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and varied application in literature, news and the arts. Though its usage is common, particularly in media, awareness of its archaic nature and possible misinterpretations is critical. Choosing a more precise and contemporary term may be more suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rapture

Similar to ecstasy but often implies a spiritual or transcendent experience.

ecstasy

Focuses solely on the feeling of intense delight and joy, omitting the negative connotations.

entrancement

Emphasizes being captivated or spellbound, often by beauty or wonder.

delight

A lighter and more general term for pleasure, suitable for less intense contexts.

overwhelming joy

Expresses the feeling of being overcome by happiness, omitting the negative connotations.

abduction

Specifically refers to the act of taking someone away by force or deception.

violation

Emphasizes the act of disrespecting or infringing upon someone's rights or boundaries.

seizure

Highlights the forceful taking of something, whether physical or abstract.

assault

Refers to a violent physical or verbal attack.

rape

The most direct and explicit term for sexual assault.

FAQs

How can "ravishment" be used in a sentence?

While "ravishment" can denote intense joy or ecstasy, as in "The music filled him with "ecstasy"", it can also refer to abduction or sexual assault, requiring careful context.

What are some alternatives to using the word "ravishment"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you could use words like "ecstasy" for intense joy, "abduction" for forceful taking, or "sexual assault" for violence.

Is it correct to use "ravishment" to describe something beautiful?

Yes, "ravishment" can describe something beautiful if the intention is to convey an overwhelming sense of delight or "entrancement". However, be aware of the potential for misinterpretation.

What's the difference between "ravishment" and "rape"?

"Rape" is a direct and explicit term for sexual assault. "Ravishment", while sometimes used as a synonym, can also refer to abduction or, more rarely, a state of intense joy or "delight". Because of its multiple meanings and outdated usage, it's generally clearer to use more specific terms.