1. relating to or involving plundering, pillaging, or the destruction of property; characterized by predatory behavior
Usage: formal; often used in historical or legal contexts

Examples

• The depredatory raids of the invading army left the countryside in ruins.
• Depredatory practices by illegal loggers have devastated the forest ecosystem.
• The depredatory behavior of the pirates made coastal trade extremely dangerous.
• Environmental groups warned against depredatory mining operations in the region.
• Historical accounts describe the depredatory campaigns that swept through the empire.
• The company faced accusations of depredatory business tactics that harmed smaller competitors.