The phrase "ravages of time" refers to the damaging effects that the passage of time can have on people, places, and things. Synonyms for this phrase include "wear and tear," "weathering," "degradation," "deterioration," "decay," "erosion," and "decomposition." These words all imply a gradual process of breakdown or decline that occurs over time. Other synonyms for "ravages of time" might include "fading," "diminishment," "weakening," or "destruction," all of which suggest a loss of vitality and strength as time passes. Ultimately, all of these synonyms serve to remind us of the inevitability of change and the impermanence of life itself.