as in depredation
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Recent Examples of despoliation
On social media, Tan was pugilistic to the point of belligerence, casting his political enemies as corrupt malefactors responsible for the despoliation of his beloved city.
—
Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
In the face of such extensive despoliation, grassroots opposition has emerged.
—Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
The two latest examples of that despoliation are the Regina Bypass, an expensive highway completed in 2019, and the Global Transportation Hub, an expensive logistics center (canada’s premier inland port) built in 2009.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
From Central America to West Africa, Greece to Indonesia, Clapp serves up a stirring picture of the deliberate and surprisingly profitable despoliation of one half of the planet by the other.
—Ian Volner, New York Times, 1 May 2025
For that reason, the Abraham Accords lie in tatters - a despoliation very deliberately aimed at by Iran and Hamas via October 7.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Landscape exists to register ideas, like dispossession or despoliation, but not feelings.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2023
Related Christopher Ciccone watched from the Radio City green room, thinking of his father and grandmother, who, like millions of other TV viewers, would see the show at home and be stunned by what appeared to be the on-air despoliation of a bride — by herself.
—Mary Gabriel, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2023
Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
In the face of such extensive despoliation, grassroots opposition has emerged.
—Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
The two latest examples of that despoliation are the Regina Bypass, an expensive highway completed in 2019, and the Global Transportation Hub, an expensive logistics center (canada’s premier inland port) built in 2009.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
From Central America to West Africa, Greece to Indonesia, Clapp serves up a stirring picture of the deliberate and surprisingly profitable despoliation of one half of the planet by the other.
—Ian Volner, New York Times, 1 May 2025
For that reason, the Abraham Accords lie in tatters - a despoliation very deliberately aimed at by Iran and Hamas via October 7.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Landscape exists to register ideas, like dispossession or despoliation, but not feelings.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2023
Related Christopher Ciccone watched from the Radio City green room, thinking of his father and grandmother, who, like millions of other TV viewers, would see the show at home and be stunned by what appeared to be the on-air despoliation of a bride — by herself.
—Mary Gabriel, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despoliation
Noun
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Federal prosecutors charged Castillo with depredation of government property.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Colorado’s wolf depredation compensation program is the broadest in the country, Sedgeley said.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The defendants have each been indicted on conspiracy to commit robbery and kidnapping.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The pair, both dressed in orange jail attire, admitted to second-degree murder and a slew of other offenses, including robbery, kidnapping and burglary.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The looting report in Haaretz follows several other misconduct complaints against Israeli soldiers in Lebanon.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
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Spiegelman uses the term micro-looting, dressing up petty theft in political pretensions.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some have traveled farther as part of colonial-era collections — as far as the British Museum — and been returned; a story unto itself about the plundering of the natural world in the age of empire, and institutions reckoning with their inheritance.—
Tom Page,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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Living through the aftermath of Rome’s plundering in 410 by the Visigoths, Augustine keenly appreciated the fact that empires come and go.—
Brett Whalen,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Amid the pillaging of homes, Roman magistrates were likely sent to the city to prevent an anarchic type of existence, based on ancient literary sources the authors referenced in the study.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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In fact, researchers know that pirates – basically just thieves on the water – targeted these river boats, because Egyptian pharaohs left records grumbling about pirates and their widespread pillaging.—
Brandon Prins,
The Conversation,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Article continues below Unfortunately, a passing asteroid deposits a killer alien robot in their midst, and the soldiers must fend for themselves as this marauding mech stalks them with guns and lasers blazing.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
10 Mar. 2026
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Rutter, the club’s record £40m buy from Leeds United, was an instant hit last season with insatiable work rate and marauding runs until an ankle injury ruled him out from March for the rest of the campaign.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Many Indians and students of colonialism see it as a symbol of the British Empire and the domination and plunder of imperialism.—
Emma Caughlan,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
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Critics contend the industry plunders distressed companies, leading to downsizing and cost-cutting that hurts local communities, though other research has pushed back on that reputation.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despoliation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despoliation. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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