despoil

1 of 2

verb

de·​spoil di-ˈspȯi(-ə)l 

despoiled; despoiling; despoils

transitive verb

: to strip of belongings, possessions, or value : pillage

despoiler noun

despoilment

di-ˈspȯi(-ə)l-mənt 

noun

despoilment

2 of 2

noun

de·​spoil·​ment -ȯi(ə)lmənt 

plural -s

: despoliation

the despoilment of pristine wilderness is the loss of something intrinsically good.

—Noah M. Lemos

the despoilment and division of Poland

Synonyms of despoil

Verb

• plunder
• pillage
• sack
• loot

Choose the Right Synonym for despoil

ravage, devastate, waste, sack, pillage, despoil mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying.

ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

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

settlements pillaged by Vikings

despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

Examples of despoil in a Sentence

Verb

The landscape has been despoiled by industrial development.

the burglars despoiled the art museum in search of treasures they thought they could sell to a fence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

One looks to the story of the Haitian World Cup team, appearing in the tournament for the first time in fifty years, which has gathered expatriate players from the Haitian diaspora to play for that beautiful and utterly despoiled country, where many of them have never lived. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 June 2026

In the 21st century, oil extraction has become a serious threat to Ecuadoran Amazonia, with large swaths of forest, often located in Indigenous territories, despoiled by the release of wastewater from the wells. — Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

Decades of despoiling water bodies have taken a terrible toll, filling water bodies with fetid algae that blocks sunlight and smothers the native seagrass beds that are a main food source for manatees. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025

Gaddis was an obscure state employee who was fired from his job last summer after leaking details of a secret plot by the DeSantis administration to despoil nine pristine Florida state parks with golf courses, pickleball courts and resort-style lodges — all to benefit his wealthy friends. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English despoylen, from Anglo-French despoiller, from Latin despoliare, from de- + spoliare to strip, rob — more at spoil entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for despoil

• airfoil
• benzoyl
• embroil
• etoile
• gargoyle
• recoil
• subsoil
• tinfoil
• topsoil
• trefoil
• turmoil
• aerofoil

Kids Definition

despoil

verb

de·​spoil di-ˈspȯil 

: to strip of belongings, possessions, or value : plunder, pillage

despoiler noun

despoilment

-ˈspȯi(ə)l-mənt 

noun