Definition of lootnext

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
If the measure passes, expect a highly spirited game of hide-the-loot. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
Police said 17 stores were damaged and five of those were looted. — Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026 On October 17th, a day of fierce confrontations between protesters and police, rioters burned public buildings and looted stores throughout the country. — Maurice Samuels, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loot
Noun
  • California’s new Yankee masters were men of industry, which also sometimes looked like reckless plunder.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Their rackets—plunder, opium trafficking, and much else—were often run not by members of established yakuza gangs but by fixers and political operators who exploited their connections with the Imperial Japanese Army.
    — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Freed of a cash crunch, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority’s 2027 preliminary budget shows a significant boost in spending as the super agency powers up to deliver more bus and rail service for riders.
    — Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Advisors typically recommend keeping at least three to six months of living expenses in cash for emergency savings.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Garrett burst off the line at the snap and sacked Daniels for a 12-yard loss.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The Broncos’ Nick Bonitto got to Young, sacked him, forced a fumble and recovered it in the process.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • To defend us all from another generation's youth, treasure and opportunity squandered at the altar of endless war.
    — Eric Henderson, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • An amateur historian has stumbled upon a provocative clue to the enduring mystery of what became of a notorious pirate who raided a royal Indian treasure ship centuries ago, implicating a co-conspirator whose name is familiar to many New Yorkers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Chambers himself is now accused of riot, conspiracy to riot, and money laundering offenses, defense attorney Aitor Martínez Jiménez told the Washington Examiner.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Nov. 2026
  • So much of it is unfortunately about money now, more than ever before.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The Digest Lawmakers in Italy are examining a new bill to create a committee that will research provenance and facilitate the restitution of art and cultural items pillaged by Nazis and Italian police between 1933 and 1945.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Shopkeepers who’ve found their livelihoods suddenly at stake wonder where the police were while groups looted and pillaged with impunity.
    — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The researchers then tested the electrolyte in experimental coin cells using lead and lead fluoride electrodes.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • But sometimes, in reality, they are decided by a midnight coin toss in a parking lot in front of Catfish Roundup.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Known as The Max, the facility was at the center of a bribery scheme that led to the conviction of the former mayor of neighboring McCook, whose office was raided the same day as Getty’s.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • However, it was ruled last month that the search warrants that allowed police to raid his homes were unlawful.
    — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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