Despoil: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ดโโ ๏ธ
despoil
[ dษชหspษษชl ]
theft act
To despoil means to plunder or rob, especially of valuables or possessions. It often conveys a sense of violence or aggression against someone or something, indicating a thorough and forcible act of taking away.
Synonyms
loot, pillaging, plunder, raze, rob.
Examples of usage
- The soldiers despoiled the village during their campaign.
- Pirates would despoil ships at sea, leaving no treasure behind.
- The invading army despoiled the lands they conquered.
- Environmentalists argue that corporations despoil natural habitats for profit.
destroy beauty
Despoil can also mean to spoil or damage the beauty or integrity of something, often associated with environmental or aesthetic degradation. This usage emphasizes the loss of charm or purity.
Synonyms
defile, desecrate, mar, ruin, taint.
Examples of usage
- The industrial waste despoiled the pristine river.
- Urban sprawl has despoiled much of the natural landscape.
- Their actions despoiled what was once a vibrant ecosystem.
- Pollution can despoil the air quality in major cities.
Translations
Translations of the word "despoil" in other languages:
๐ต๐น saquear
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฒเฅเคเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช plรผndern
๐ฎ๐ฉ merampok
๐บ๐ฆ ะณัะฐะฑัะฒะฐัะธ
๐ต๐ฑ zลupiฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ็ฅๅฅชใใ
๐ซ๐ท piller
๐ช๐ธ saquear
๐น๐ท yaฤmalamak
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฝํํ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ููุจ
๐จ๐ฟ vydrancovat
๐ธ๐ฐ vydrancovaลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ๆ ๅคบ
๐ธ๐ฎ opustoลกiti
๐ฎ๐ธ rรฆndi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะฐะฟาัะฝััะปัา ะถะฐัะฐั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแขแแชแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ qษnimษt almaq
๐ฒ๐ฝ saquear
Etymology
The word 'despoil' has its origins in the late Middle English, deriving from the Old French term 'despoiller', meaning 'to strip off' or 'to rob'. This itself comes from the Latin 'despoliare', composed of 'de-' meaning 'down from' and 'spoilium', which means 'spoils' or 'booty'. Over time, the word evolved to encompass not only the act of stealing valuables but also the act of damaging or ruining the integrity or beauty of an object or environment. Throughout history, despoil has been used to describe various forms of plunder, particularly in the context of war or conquest, making it a term strongly associated with aggression and loss.
Word Frequency Rank
This word's position of #31,826 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.
- ...
- 31823 voyaging
- 31824 nightshade
- 31825 daringly
- 31826 despoil
- 31827 dabble
- 31828 cleaver
- 31829 commercialize
- ...