despoilation
- noun
- /ˌdɛspɔɪˈleɪʃən/
:
despojo
- The oil plutocrats who own the minds of most of the commenters here will scarcely lose pennies because of this, and the consequent despoilation of the Earth will continue.
Examples
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The increasing difficulty of getting the hydrocarbons increases the consumption of metals, water, etc., the despoilation of soil and land cover, and of course CO2.
Blog text (34) -
Especially disheartened about the despoilation of the scant remaining wilderness areas.
Blog text (28) -
The despoilation of ancient artifacts has led to a loss of cultural heritage.
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Many environmental activists protest against the despoilation of natural resources in developing countries.
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The report detailed the despoilation of the rainforest by illegal logging operations.
Synonyms
4
9.8
Damage and stealing caused by a violent attack
1
9.9
Taking goods by force, often during war or disorder
A violent taking of valuable things from a place like a temple or forest
The forceful taking of things like money, land or trees that causes damage
Taking things by force from a place, often during war
Antonyms
How Violent
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Despoilation comes from the verb despoil, made of de- ('away') and spoil ('to strip or take'), the same idea behind 'the spoils of war'. So despoilation means the violent 'stripping' or taking away of goods, art, land, or other things.