Definition

The intentional or careless destruction of the natural environment, often caused by human activities such as pollution or warfare.

Example

The activists are campaigning against ecocide to protect the planet's ecosystems.

Conversation

Have you heard about the term ecocide lately?

Yeah, it’s really alarming how much damage we’re causing to the planet.

I know! It's scary to think about the impact of human actions on nature.

Absolutely, we need to raise awareness and take action against ecocide.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ecocide is formed from "eco-" (from Greek "oikos", meaning house or environment) and "-cide" (from Latin "caedere", meaning to kill). The word refers to the act of killing or destroying the environment or ecosystem.

Memory Tip

Think of 'eco-' as relating to the environment or 'house' of nature, and '-cide' as meaning to 'kill'. This helps you remember that ecocide means to kill the environment.

Visually Confused Words