What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
depredated
Example
The village was depredated by the invading army, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake. [depredated: past tense]
Example
The farmer's crops were depredated by a swarm of locusts, leaving him with nothing to harvest. [depredated: past participle]
pillaged
Example
The city was pillaged by the invading army, leaving nothing but ruins in their wake. [pillaged: past tense]
Example
The museum was pillaged during the riots, with priceless artifacts stolen or destroyed. [pillaged: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pillaged is more commonly used than depredated in everyday language. Pillaged is versatile and can be employed in various contexts, while depredated is less common and may sound more formal or technical.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between depredated and pillaged?
While depredated may sound more formal or technical, pillaged is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.