Defoliate is a word that means to strip a plant or tree of its leaves. There are various synonyms that can be used in place of this word. One such word is "denude," which means to remove the covering from something. "Strip" and "disrobe" are also usable synonyms for defoliate. "Decimate" can also be used as a deeper, more destructive synonym, as it means to completely destroy or eliminate a large portion of something. Additionally, "clear-cut" and "harrow" are more specific synonyms that are often used in forestry and agriculture contexts. All of these words have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably to convey the action of removing foliage from a plant or tree.