depredation

[ dep-ri-dey-shuh n ]
/ ˌdɛp rɪˈdeɪ ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR depredation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of preying upon or plundering; robbery; ravage.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of depredation

1475–85; < Late Latin dēpraedātiōn- (stem of dēpraedātiō) a plundering, equivalent to dēpraedāt(us) (see depredate) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM depredation

dep·re·da·tion·ist, noun

Words nearby depredation

depreciable, depreciate, depreciation, depreciatory, depredate, depredation, depress, depressant, depressed, depressed area, depressed skull fracture
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to depredation

wasting, desecration, theft, rapine, pillage, desolation, stealing, crime, plunder, robbery, burglary, sacking, ravaging, spoliation, marauding

Example sentences from the Web for depredation

British Dictionary definitions for depredation

depredation
/ (ˌdɛprɪˈdeɪʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of plundering; robbery; pillage
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012