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loot

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verb

as in to plunder
to search through with the intent of committing robbery the bandits looted the archaeological dig before riding off into the night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun loot differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of loot are booty, plunder, prize, spoils, and spoil. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When could booty be used to replace loot?

While in some cases nearly identical to loot, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When might plunder be a better fit than loot?

In some situations, the words plunder and loot are roughly equivalent. However, plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

In what contexts can prize take the place of loot?

Although the words prize and loot have much in common, prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

How do spoil and spoils relate to one another, in the sense of loot?

Spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loot
Noun
Thieves boarded freight trains operated by BNSF Railways, cut open the locks to shipping containers, and then tossed cargo off the side, where follow vehicles scooped up the loot. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 14 Mar. 2025 Another per of the launch is a brand new promo code that any Escape From Tarkov player will be able to enter in the launcher to get some free in game loot. Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
That was where peaceful demonstrations by day turned into violence and looting at night. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2025 These include abusing antitrust to hobble or loot American high-tech companies and, before long, could also encompass deployment of the bloc’s climate policy for protectionist ends with measures such as Brussels’ Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. The Editors, National Review, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loot
Noun
  • While in Africa, Suchet visits Kimberley, the site of diamond mines (and where Rhodes founded the De Beers diamond company), and the plunder and extraction are so clear.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The revisionists aim to create an environment primed for expansion and plunder.
    HAL BRANDS, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Think a heavier share of investments in bonds and cash, less in riskier stocks.
    Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
  • But once Mulaney talked his wife Olivia Munn into giving him the cash because he’s not allowed to have more than $300 in cash due to his past issues with substance abuse, the manager then requested $100,000 and finally the Everybody’s Live crew began to notice the red flags.
    Angel Diaz, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Also sacked Thursday was Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, who led both the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, and his deputy, Wendy Noble, who has reportedly been reassigned within the Pentagon.
    Colin Meyn, The Hill, 4 Apr. 2025
  • He was sacked a whopping 68 times, with the next highest being C.J. Stroud with 52.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Astin, Plimpton, Green, Feldman, Davi, and Pantoliano joined Josh Brolin and Ke Huy Quan in hunting down the trusty ship of notorious pirate One-Eyed Willy, hoping to happen on some treasure to secure their families' futures.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • After a recent storm, two metal detectorists went searching for treasure at a beach in northern Poland.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Failing to protect these roles risks squandering money and progress, weakening health systems.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Yes, but: States also get separate federal money for immunization efforts through programs like Vaccines for Children, Michaud notes — though many were counting on these grants as well.
    Erin Alberty, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Uh uh, method dressing is forever, at least for Timothée Chalamet—until the next role-of-a-lifetime comes along, or the parcels of Bob Dylan ephemera pillaged from the online auction houses stop coming through the young actor’s door that is.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2025
  • For centuries, the East India Company, a commercial and military organization, pillaged the riches of India to fund the British Empire and the company’s own expansion.
    Michael Knights, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Super Nintendo World This colorful and kinetic area was mobbed, with families running maniacally through obstacle courses to collect digital coins using a Power-Up Band ($42) and the Universal app.
    Todd Anderson, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The family-friendly party games and also more challenging adult titles should give gamers of all ages a reason to join Nintendo’s next generation — if only Mario would spare a few gold coins to bring the price down.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • People were killed after soldiers and paramilitary forces raided the neighborhood of Raboteau after a demonstration in support of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Chit Thu has denied knowing about or benefiting from the scamming and trafficking operations in his territory, and said in a recent press conference that the BGF is raiding the compounds with the aim of eradicating them.
    Teele Rebane, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Loot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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