depredation

[ dep-ri-dey-shuhn ]
See synonyms for depredation on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the act of preying upon or plundering; robbery; ravage.

Origin of depredation

1
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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use depredation in a sentence

  • These savages committed great depredations on the frontiers, and refused all terms of peace.

  • For the benefit of innocents who do not know what poaching is like, I will give an idea of this one dog's depredations.

    The Chequers | James Runciman
  • A company of 2000 men were sent on shore from the French fleet to arrest their depredations, but were compelled to embark again.

  • Provost General Macy, of Massachusetts, established a guard to prevent depredations and to save the army from demoralization.

    The Boys of '61 | Charles Carleton Coffin.
  • When a lion has made his presence known, either by frequent depredations or by roarings, a hunting party is formed.

British Dictionary definitions for depredation

depredation

/ (ˌdɛprɪˈdeɪʃən) /


noun
  1. 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