depredate

American  

[dep-ri-deyt] / ˈdɛp rɪˌdeɪt /

verb (used with object)

depredated, depredating

1. to plunder or lay waste to; prey upon; pillage; ravage.

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verb (used without object)

depredated, depredating

1. to plunder; pillage.

depredate British  

/ -trɪ, dɪˈprɛdɪtərɪ, ˈdɛprɪˌdeɪtərɪ, ˈdɛprɪˌdeɪt /

verb

1. rare (tr) to plunder or destroy; pillage

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Other Word Forms

• depredator noun
• depredatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of depredate

1620–30; < Late Latin dēpraedātus plundered (past participle of depraedārī ), equivalent to Latin dē- de- + praed ( ārī ) to plunder ( prey ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

"Cats depredate and scavenge a large fraction of the species present across the range available in the landscapes they forage in," the authors write.

From Salon

Fortunately, research shows that reduced from 12 members to four, their propensity to depredate on cattle is lower.

From Seattle Times

To “depredate” means “to lay waste: plunder, ravage,” according to Webster’s.

From The New Yorker

Depredate, dep′re-dāt, v.t. to plunder or prey upon: to rob: to lay waste: to devour.—ns.

From Project Gutenberg

In his report for 1887 he pays his respects to our enemies from "the northern and eastern borders"—the same hand that has continued to depredate until this day.

From Project Gutenberg