despoiling
Stripping of value
Despoiling is the act of plundering, looting, or stripping something of its valuables or beauty.
The word carries connotations of violent or ruthless taking: armies despoiling conquered cities, corporations despoiling the landscape.
It suggests not just theft but damage—leaving something diminished or ruined in the process.
Theft during disorder
- pillagingForcible theft during conflict
- sackingDismissal from employment
- ransackingSearching while wrecking
- raidingSudden attack for plunder
marauding · reaving · depredation · rapine · foray · incursion · booty · conquest
Severe widespread destruction
- destructionAct of completely ruining
- degradationDecline in condition
- defacementDamaging an appearance
- vandalismWillful property damage
ravaging · laying waste · desolation · blighting · corrupting · wrecking · scarring · desecration
looting
Theft during disorder
- pillagingForcible theft during conflict
- sackingDismissal from employment
- ransackingSearching while wrecking
raiding · marauding · reaving · depredation · rapine · foray · incursion · booty · conquest · invasion
devastation
Severe widespread destruction
- destructionAct of completely ruining
- degradationDecline in condition
- defacementDamaging an appearance
vandalism · ravaging · laying waste · desolation · blighting · corrupting · wrecking · scarring · desecration · violation
- plunderlooting, loot, booty, pillaging, pillage
- filthdirt, grime, dirty, filthy, muck
- heritage crimesart theft, art fraud, art forgery, museum theft, tomb robbery
despoilingpreserving
Protecting from deterioration
protecting · conserving · safeguarding · defending · maintaining
despoilingenriching
Adding worth or nutrients
endowing · bestowing · replenishing · nourishing · furnishing
despoilingimproving
Becoming more capable
restoring · renovating · rebuilding · constructing · building
spoil, spoiled, spoils, spoiling, unspoiled, spoiler, spoilage, despoil, spoilers