Thesaurus results for LOOT

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

loot 1 of 2

noun

ˈlüt

Definition of loot

as in plunder

valuables stolen or taken by force the burglar was caught when he foolishly stopped to examine the loot from the robbery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in cash

something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment a top-ranked golfer earning plenty of loot

Synonyms & Similar Words

loot

2 of 2

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

Loyalty over loot Missouri State was the first school to believe in him. — Latif Love july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026 Toek Tik did not know exactly where his loot ended up after leaving Cambodia. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 June 2026

Verb

Russian forces have routinely looted Ukrainian cultural objects during the course of the war, which has been going on for over four years. — News Desk, Artforum, 25 Aug. 2026 But his house had been looted, his belongings, including two decades’ worth of journals, redistributed or destroyed. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loot

Recent Examples of Synonyms for loot

Noun

To the family’s lawyer, Markus Stötzel, the case is a typical example of Nazi plunder in need of immediate restoration.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 29 June 2026
The second — a fastball Horwitz hit about 100 mph for a double to right field — was the start of a Pirate plunder at Sutter Health Park.

— Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026

Definition of plunder

Noun

In 1989, the holiday food drive became a year-round program, and in 1990 the company’s stores began accepting cash donations at the register.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Ganiyu received about $671,438 from citizenship applicants through Zelle and Cash App, along with $287,830 in cash deposits that prosecutors say were meant to conceal the money’s source, according to court documents, the New York Post reported.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of cash

Verb

Since 2020, Joe Burrow has been sacked a league-worst 10 percent of the time in openers and has lost four times, a league-high.

— Vic Tafur, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The Ducks sacked Madsen three times for 15 yards, but their defensive front didn’t show too much attacking intent.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of sack

Noun

Most of the treasure’s weight comes from bars, jewelry and silver clips, with coins only making up a small part of it.

— Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
In this exclusive excerpt, Austin discusses her decision to part with everything, and the process of combing through the home and finding the treasures Mercury left behind.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of treasure

Verb

Most notable is how the Premier League’s most famous clubs increasingly pillage the internal market for reliable and proven talent, rather than taking bets on cheaper or further-flung bets from across the continent or beyond.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
These targets include the personal business interests of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials, as well as the energy infrastructure that allows these leaders to pillage state revenues as a source of personal wealth.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of pillage

Noun

There are low-budget neon casinos, pawn shops, all-night wedding chapels, and jewelry exchanges promising top dollar for coins, bullion, and scrap.

— Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Two Anglo-Saxon coins were minted under King Edward the Elder, who came to rule most of England during his reign from 899 to 924.

— Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of coin

Verb

Police raided the home several times but failed to find the painting.

— Sergio Farella, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
In the footage, players follow the story of Jason and Lucia, a couple living in the fictional Vice City, who are picking up drugs, and their mission is thwarted by the police, who begin to raid the place.

— Moises Mendez II, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of raid

Browse Nearby Words

loosing

loot

looted

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Style

“Loot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of loot

noun

verb

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