despoliation

[dih-spoh-lee-ey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of plundering.

2. the fact or circumstance of being plundered.

despoliation

/ dɪˌspəʊlɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of despoiling; plunder or pillage

2. the state of being despoiled

Word History and Origins

Origin of despoliation¹

1650–60; < Late Latin dēspoliātiōn- (stem of dēspoliātiō ), equivalent to Latin dēspoliāt ( us ) (past participle of dēspoliāre; despoil ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

If the final AR image of plastic bags, echoed by one onstage, gestures toward a critique of environmental despoliation, it’s a wan gesture.

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Daemon returned as a conqueror with a new haircut, seeming redeemed until he took Rhaenyra on her despoliation tour of the dirty old town.

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They drove industry, which drove the despoliation of the planet.

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But the application of modern science and engineering to economic affairs also set in motion a ruinous despoliation of the planet.

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He said the court’s decision represented “a second despoliation of the painting.”

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