Depredation implies harmful actions with negative impacts, often involving violence or destruction. Local depredations by bandits caused fear among the residents.
Pro Tip 2/3
Human involvement
Depredation is usually a deliberate act by people, not a natural occurrence. The ancient monument suffered from the depredation of treasure hunters.
Pro Tip 3/3
Context specificity
When using depredation, consider if it fits the context; it's often related to large-scale or historical events. Scholars chronicled the depredations during the empire's collapse.