Thesaurus results for DESPOIL

Q: How does the verb 'despoil' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of despoil are devastate , pillage , ravage , sack , and waste . While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction. // the Nazis despoiled the art museums

Q: In what contexts can 'devastate' take the place of 'despoil'?

The words devastate and despoil can be used in similar contexts, but devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area. // an earthquake devastated the city

Q: How are the words 'pillage' and 'sack' related as synonyms of 'despoil'?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack . // settlements pillaged by Vikings

Q: When can 'ravage' be used instead of 'despoil'?

The meanings of ravage and despoil largely overlap; however, ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction. // a hurricane ravaged the coast

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sack' instead of 'despoil'?

The words sack and despoil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place. // barbarians sacked ancient Rome

Q: When could 'waste' be used to replace 'despoil'?

Although the words waste and despoil have much in common, waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action. // years of drought had wasted the area

despoil

verb

di-ˈspȯi(-ə)l

Definition of despoil next

as in to plunder

to search through with the intent of committing robbery the burglars despoiled the art museum in search of treasures they thought they could sell to a fence

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb despoil contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of despoil are devastate, pillage, ravage, sack, and waste. While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

In what contexts can devastate take the place of despoil?

The words devastate and despoil can be used in similar contexts, but devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

How are the words pillage and sack related as synonyms of despoil?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.

settlements pillaged by Vikings

When can ravage be used instead of despoil?

The meanings of ravage and despoil largely overlap; however, ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

When is it sensible to use sack instead of despoil?

The words sack and despoil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

When could waste be used to replace despoil?

Although the words waste and despoil have much in common, waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of despoil And on both flanks, the Trust set aside 33 low-lying acres that still contain the potential to despoil the whole place. —

Developing Governors Island, Curbed, 11 May 2023 Growth in Africa must be clean, both in terms of generating energy and not despoiling the continent’s landscape and natural resources. —

Jack A. Goldstone, Foreign Affairs, 18 May 2023 In stark contrast to the sensible environmental policies of his Republican predecessors, Watt’s policy enthusiasms included drilling, clear-cutting, despoiling public lands, and shredding environmental regulations. —

Liza Featherstone, The New Republic, 16 June 2023 This urge to despoil images of the unpopular goes a long way toward explaining why so many statues of Nero lost their heads, said Eric R. Varner, professor of classics and art history at Emory University. —

Graham Bowley, New York Times, 12 June 2023 See all Example Sentences for despoil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for despoil

Verb

The rest of the Lakota belongings were plundered or burned.

Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
The limited series had already plundered the precursor Creative Arts Emmys on Sept. 8, taking a 14 awards, already a record for a drama in a single season.

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024