Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

despoil

verb

/dɪˈspɔɪl/

Definition

To strip of possessions, property, or value; to rob or plunder.

Examples

The invading army began to despoil the village of its treasures.
Environmental activists warned that the new development would despoil the natural landscape.
He felt that the constant advertisements despoiled the beauty of the magazine.

Meaning

Despoiling refers to the act of taking away valuable possessions or resources, often through force or violence. It can also imply a sense of devastation or corruption.