despoliation

American  

[dih-spoh-lee-ey-shuhn] / dɪˌspoʊ liˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of plundering.

2. the fact or circumstance of being plundered.

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despoliation British  

/ dɪˌspəʊlɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of despoiling; plunder or pillage

2. the state of being despoiled

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Etymology

Origin of despoliation

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

Example Sentences

Matt: Environmental despoliation appears multiple times in “Andor.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2022

Garth’s masterful book ends with a reminder that a profound concern for the environment and its despoliation imbues Tolkien’s work.

From Washington Post • Jun. 8, 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

Published in 1972, Le Guin’s book asserted that colonialism, extractivism, and environmental despoliation are endemic to humankind, and we surely haven’t proved her wrong in the years since.

From The Guardian • Feb. 12, 2020

So that by early education I was taught to think that the despoliation of the public, in certain ways, was a legitimate industry.

From Philip Dru Administrator : a Story of Tomorrow 1920 - 1935 by House, Edward Mandell