depredation
Act of ravaging
Depredation is an act of plundering, pillaging, or laying waste—destruction that takes something of value.
The word typically appears in formal or historical contexts describing raids, looting, or systematic destruction: the depredations of invading armies, depredations committed by pirates.
It extends to damage by animals or natural forces: the depredations of locusts on crops.
Usually plural.
Violent theft of goods
- lootingTheft during disorder
- ransackPlunder while destroying
- sackingDismissal from employment
- maraudingRoving to plunder
brigandage · raiding · foraging · ravaging · reaving · freebooting · piracy · banditry
Sudden armed incursion
- incursionHostile territorial penetration
- foraySwift raid or attempt
- assaultViolent offensive act
- onslaughtFierce, overwhelming assault
invasion · ambush · sortie · offensive · inroad · skirmish · encroachment · intrusion
Act of completely ruining
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
- ruinComplete destruction or collapse
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- havocWidespread destruction and chaos
ravage · deterioration · erosion · impairment · degradation · desolation · blight · scourge
Deprival of property rights
- privationLack of necessities
- deprivationState of lacking necessities
- impoverishmentState of extreme deprivation
- bereavementState following loss
suffering · hardship · misfortune · theft · robbery · plundering · expropriation · confiscation
Excessive resource depletion
- resource extractionObtaining substances from nature
- overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
- strip miningRemoving overburden for minerals
overgrazing · poaching · habitat destruction · ecosystem damage · clear-cutting · illegal logging
pillage
Violent theft of goods
marauding · brigandage · raiding · foraging · ravaging · reaving · freebooting · piracy · banditry · harrying
raid
Sudden armed incursion
onslaught · invasion · ambush · sortie · offensive · inroad · skirmish · encroachment · intrusion · aggression
destruction
Act of completely ruining
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
- ruinComplete destruction or collapse
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
havoc · ravage · deterioration · erosion · impairment · degradation · desolation · blight · scourge · waste
dispossession
Deprival of property rights
- privationLack of necessities
- deprivationState of lacking necessities
- impoverishmentState of extreme deprivation
bereavement · suffering · hardship · misfortune · theft · robbery · plundering · expropriation · confiscation · financial ruin
overexploitation
Excessive resource depletion
- resource extractionObtaining substances from nature
- overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
- deforestationLarge-scale woodland elimination
strip mining · overgrazing · poaching · habitat destruction · ecosystem damage · clear-cutting · illegal logging
depredationpreservation
Maintaining something's condition
conservation · protection · safeguarding · maintenance · construction
depredationboon
Helpful benefit received
blessing · benefaction · benevolence · goodness · miracle
depredationreparation
Compensation for injury done
restitution · restoration · compensation · amends · repayment