What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
depredate
Example
The invading army began to depredate the town, stealing and destroying everything in their path. [depredate: verb]
Example
The company's mining operations have caused the local environment to depredate, leaving behind a trail of destruction. [depredate: verb]
despoil
Example
The barbarians despoiled the temple, taking all the precious artifacts and treasures. [despoiled: past tense]
Example
The oil company's drilling operations have despoiled the once-pristine wilderness area. [despoiled: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Despoil is more commonly used than depredate in everyday language. Depredate is a less common word that is typically used in more formal or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between depredate and despoil?
Both depredate and despoil are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, depredate may be considered more formal due to its Latin origin.
