ecocide
noun
eco·cide
ˈē-kə-ˌsīd 
ˈe-,
-(ˌ)kō-
: the destruction of large areas of the natural environment as a consequence of human activity
Examples of ecocide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Members of the Scottish parliament are to set to discuss whether or not to become the first nation in the United Kingdom to make ecocide a criminal offence.
—
Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Laws to prevent future ‘ecocide’ are complicated While Agent Orange’s health effects have understandably drawn scrutiny, its long-term ecological consequences have not been well studied.
—Pamela McElwee, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2025
Both Russia and Ukraine also have ecocide laws, but these have not prevented harm or held anyone accountable for damage during the ongoing conflict.
—Pamela McElwee, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2025
The movement has garnered support from various sectors, including business leaders who see the establishment of ecocide law as a means to ensure sustainable practices and protect natural systems.
—Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Especially amid ongoing genocides, ecocides, climate destruction, and compounding disasters, realigning our care with the world around us is more radical than ever.
—Akilah Sailers, Essence, 5 Apr. 2025
Regardless of whether the charge of ecocide applies to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, the environmental impact, the spread of disease, and other harmful health impairments will be felt for years to come.
—Lesley Joseph, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025
Those outsize impacts add up to why Salle has dubbed the vessels a form of ecocide.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune Europe, 9 June 2024
According to the ‘ecocide’ theory, the Rapanui people used up all their resources to move and build these statues, depleting the island of its native animals and vegetation.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024
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Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Laws to prevent future ‘ecocide’ are complicated While Agent Orange’s health effects have understandably drawn scrutiny, its long-term ecological consequences have not been well studied.
—Pamela McElwee, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2025
Both Russia and Ukraine also have ecocide laws, but these have not prevented harm or held anyone accountable for damage during the ongoing conflict.
—Pamela McElwee, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2025
The movement has garnered support from various sectors, including business leaders who see the establishment of ecocide law as a means to ensure sustainable practices and protect natural systems.
—Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Especially amid ongoing genocides, ecocides, climate destruction, and compounding disasters, realigning our care with the world around us is more radical than ever.
—Akilah Sailers, Essence, 5 Apr. 2025
Regardless of whether the charge of ecocide applies to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, the environmental impact, the spread of disease, and other harmful health impairments will be felt for years to come.
—Lesley Joseph, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025
Those outsize impacts add up to why Salle has dubbed the vessels a form of ecocide.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune Europe, 9 June 2024
According to the ‘ecocide’ theory, the Rapanui people used up all their resources to move and build these statues, depleting the island of its native animals and vegetation.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Ecocide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecocide. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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