In May of this year, the Commission for the Compensation of Victims of Spoliation (CIVS), which determines if artworks were Nazi-looted, failed to reach a definitive conclusion.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
30 June 2026
Though it had been looted by kids, most of the material was eventually recovered.
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.
One residence was damaged and a minor structure was destroyed, according to an incident update.
—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2026
After powerful twin earthquakes devastated parts of Venezuela and destroyed their home in the coastal town of Caraballeda last month, Maria and her brother Damian, 13, were taken in by their aunt, Mercedes Osul.
One by one, from Rhode Island to Georgia, rioters in each colony pillaged collectors’ wine cellars, drank all their liquor and forced them to publicly resign.
—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
For decades, tomb raiders have pillaged sites across the country, selling them on the black market.
Michael seemed to be saying that by admitting her dishonesty, Ethel would have ruined their childhood and poisoned any prospect of a future relationship with her.
—
Amy Weiss-Meyer,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2026
Instead of fighting with Whitney, Lindsay has a talk with Yvonne about how Lindsay ruined Yvonne’s wedding by making it all about her.
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.