Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defoliate
While a small population of potato beetles won’t do much damage, large infestations can defoliate potato stems, weaken plants, and make potatoes produce fewer spuds.
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Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Dec. 2025
The caterpillars feed and defoliate boxwood plants.
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Chris McKeown,
The Enquirer,
30 Aug. 2025
In 2021, the moths defoliated over nine million acres of forest across the country according to Purdue University.
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Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
16 July 2025
Thielen noted that the three St. Louis County wildfires were zero percent contained as of early Tuesday afternoon, and that the dry and windy conditions Tuesday and Wednesday are conducive to wildfire spread in an area heavily defoliated by the spruce budworm.
—
Katie Rohman,
Twin Cities,
13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defoliate
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Dec. 2025
The caterpillars feed and defoliate boxwood plants.
—
Chris McKeown,
The Enquirer,
30 Aug. 2025
In 2021, the moths defoliated over nine million acres of forest across the country according to Purdue University.
—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
16 July 2025
Thielen noted that the three St. Louis County wildfires were zero percent contained as of early Tuesday afternoon, and that the dry and windy conditions Tuesday and Wednesday are conducive to wildfire spread in an area heavily defoliated by the spruce budworm.
—
Katie Rohman,
Twin Cities,
13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defoliate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defoliate
Verb
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There’s a number of different ways to skin a horrific cat.
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There are only so many ways to skin a well-performing cat.
Verb
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Zoom, Teams, and AirPods strip out the dog barking or the café behind you.
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So Max Muncy, Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas took their typical spots in the Los Angeles Dodgers infield and barked out situations ahead of the team’s 50th win of the season.
Verb
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Recipe information If using ¾ cup hulled barley, rinse in a mesh sieve under running water.
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The corn is dried, hulled, and ground to create the coarse meal known as grits.
Verb
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Meanwhile, working one at a time, cut kernels off 4 large ears of corn, husked, and transfer to a large bowl.
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Just husk the corn, remove the silk and grill those cobs naked so they’re lightly charred, sweet, slightly crisp with a roasty popcorn taste.
Verb
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Dwight grabbed my arm, wrenching my hand out of my pocket, flaying it like a fish, pulling me along.
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Dent remarks that his stuffed hams, flayed open, stuffed with greens and steamed til they are cooked through, are a source of pride for the restaurant.
Verb
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Regionally, the Iranian regime was at its weakest in decades, denuded of antiair defenses.
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From a narrowly military-strategic perspective, China will benefit from the fact that more U.S. forces may shift from the Asia-Pacific into the Middle East, and U.S. military munitions stocks are likely to be further denuded.
Verb
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In eastern Ukraine, Orthodox parishes that are not part of the Russian Orthodox faith have been damaged or destroyed due to shelling from Russian missiles.
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Ballistics evidence collected from the scene was ultimately connected to shell casings found in the backyard of her home in Vermont, Rouse said.
Verb
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Christensen suggests the state should instead focus on stripping back environmental regulations that make brush clearance and fire prevention costly, which would ensure state firefighters are not working excessive overtime and the state budget is not being stretched beyond its means.
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Sulwhasoo's Gentle Cleansing Foam creates a rich lather that removes dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping skin, while ingredients like ginseng, orange peel, chestnut shell, and yam root leave your complexion soft, balanced, and comfortably hydrated.
Cite this Entry
“Defoliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defoliate. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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