despoil

/dɪˈspɔɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈspɔɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈspȯi(-ə)l/ (ame, mw)

despoil — 動詞

  • despoilpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • despoilshe / she / it
  • despoiledpast simple
  • despoiling-ing form

1. to remove valuable objects from a place using force, especially during war or co

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

掠奪；洗劫

用武力搶走財物，常指戰爭中

to remove valuable objects from a place using force, especially during war or conflict, leaving it bare and often damaged

例句

During the war, Fatima saw soldiers despoil the library of its rare manuscripts.

戰爭期間，Fatima 看到士兵掠奪圖書館的珍貴手稿。

despoil + [place] + of + [things]: pattern for what was taken

Diego reported that the ancient tomb had been despoiled by grave robbers.

Diego 回報說，這座古墓已被盜墓者洗劫一空。

passive: be despoiled by [agent]

同義詞
  • loot

    more common; used in everyday speech and news reports

  • pillage

    strongly associated with war and destruction of a place

  • plunder

    similar register; can also mean systematic economic exploitation

  • ransack

    emphasizes violent searching and turning things over

反義詞
  • protect

    to keep safe from harm or theft

  • preserve

    to keep in its original state

文法句型

despoil + [place] + of + [valuables]

be despoiled by + [aggressor]

用法筆記

Typically used in formal, literary, or historical contexts. The object is most often a place or region rather than a person. Frequently appears in descriptions of war, invasion, or large-scale theft.

常見錯誤

❌The thief despoiled my wallet.
✅The thief stole my wallet.
💡despoil is used for a place or large-scale looting, not for a small personal item.