Definition

The act of taking away valuable things from a place, often by force or in a destructive manner.

Example

The despoilment of the ancient ruins left them in a state of disrepair.

Conversation

Did you hear about the despoilment of that ancient site last week?

Yeah, it's really sad how people can be so disrespectful to history.

I know, right? It's like they don't understand the value of preserving our past.

Exactly! We should be protecting these places, not tearing them down.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Despoilment is formed from "despoil" (from Old French *despoiller*, meaning to strip or rob) and the suffix "-ment" (meaning the action or result of). The word refers to the act of stripping away or robbing something, often used in the context of plundering or looting.

Memory Tip

Think of the act of 'stripping away' ('despoil') something valuable, and the '-ment' indicates the action of doing so. This helps you remember that 'despoilment' means the act of robbing or plundering.

Visually Confused Words