Despoil Definition, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：plunder (despoil)

despoil 🔊

/dɪˈspɔɪl/

vt.

To violently take away all valuable things from a place, often leaving it ruined or empty.

Despoil scene: grave robber flashlight in ancient tomb with broken sarcophagus

plunder 🔊

➕

/ˈplʌndər/

vt.

To forcefully strip a place of its valuable possessions, often causing destruction.

📁 Category：Warfare & Battle 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'despoliare' (de- 'away' + spolium 'spoil, plunder').

💡 Mnemonic

De-spoil: imagine a thief saying 'de-spoil!' as he strips a museum of all treasures.

📖 Example

The ancient tomb was despoiled by grave robbers long before archaeologists could study it. 🔊 The ancient tomb was plundered by grave robbers long before archaeologists could study it.

🔗 Collocations

despoil a city – to plunder a city of its wealth

despoil the environment – to strip the environment of natural resources

despoil of dignity – to deprive someone of their dignity

🔄 Synonyms

pillage (v.) – To rob a place using violence, especially in war

loot (v.) – To steal goods from a place during a riot or war

ransack (v.) – To search a place thoroughly and cause disorder, often stealing things

🚫 Antonyms

protect (v.) – To keep someone or something safe from harm

preserve (v.) – To maintain something in its original state

endow (v.) – To provide with a quality or asset

🌱 Derivatives

despoilment (n.) – The act of despoiling

despoiler (n.) – One who despoils

spoliation (n.) – The act of plundering

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'spolium' (booty). In medieval warfare, victorious armies would despoil conquered cities, a practice condemned by later laws of war.