despoliation
Americannoun
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the act of plundering.
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the fact or circumstance of being plundered.
noun
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the act of despoiling; plunder or pillage
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the state of being despoiled
Etymology
Origin of despoliation
1650–60; < Late Latin dēspoliātiōn- (stem of dēspoliātiō ), equivalent to Latin dēspoliāt ( us ) (past participle of dēspoliāre; see despoil) + -iōn- -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Matt: Environmental despoliation appears multiple times in “Andor.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 30, 2022
Others, including conservationists and environmentalists, fear pollution and despoliation.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 28, 2020
Any further despoliation of the oceans would have to be stopped, including the dumping of wastes, plastics, engine fuel, and runoff pesticides.
From Salon ● Apr. 6, 2020
But it takes work to see them, to look past the pervasive despoliation and reconcile the rough hand of man with the fragility of old forests and mountains.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 9, 2017
“There are many and devious ways by which the law can be evaded and by which the despoliation of the public may be accomplished,” said Selwyn.
From Philip Dru Administrator : a Story of Tomorrow 1920 - 1935 by House, Edward Mandell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
