loot 1 of 2

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
Stage layouts, monster placements, and loot are randomized with every descent into hell, giving you a fresh experience with each run. PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025 The loot hasn't been recovered. Brittany Williams, Arkansas Online, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
But until then, there seems to be no space in our common national wealth for anything other than bombs, precarious tech ventures, and looted oil. James Folta, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026 That is looting, plain and simple, and clearly unlawful. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loot
Noun
  • After more than a century of plunder and strife, under tyrants as diverse as King Leopold II of Belgium and Mobutu Sese Seko, the present-day DRC still occupies the dark heart of the continent in much of the world’s imagination.
    Holden Frith, TheWeek, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The Venezuelan regime is broadly unpopular in Latin America; its socialism of plunder has sent millions of desperate people into Colombia and other states.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Janet’s mother, Marilyn, was deeply insecure about having never finished college herself, and—newly flush with cash—offered to pay for four years of her children’s higher education (which cost, on average, $740 in the late 1970s).
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • And just in case, she was laid to rest with some local currency, or spending cash, almost 1,000 Kaiyuan Tongbao coins tied to her waist and right leg, as per Arkeonews reported.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Philly flashbacks There was no shortage of hard feelings (and maybe some sour grapes) when the 49ers lost 31-7 in the NFC Championship Game following the 2022 season when Haason Reddick sacked Purdy and tore the UCL in his right elbow.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Miami punts The Hurricanes once again got past midfield, but Carson Beck was then sacked on back-to-back plays to force a Miami punt.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • With two new cars installed in 2020, this iconic Tennessee treasure is looking forward to another 100 years in operation.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Someone else got that treasure but Keeney and his family went back for Game 7 and, at the end of batting practice, Brian Harper tossed Keeney his batting glove.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Cashier Sandra Cornejo said the suspect ordered Oreo ice cream before pulling out a knife and demanding money.
    Zach Boetto, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Bonta said the money also supports child welfare and foster services, housing stability, job training, food assistance and services for seniors and people with disabilities.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In a landscape of sequels and overly pillaged IP, the Stranger Things finale is finite and close-ended, the credits rolling once and for all.
    Yohana Desta, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2026
  • Certainly, its portrait of a futuristic society dominated by raping, pillaging youth gangs speaking a bizarre Russian-English hybrid slang struck a few different nerves — as did its tale of one teenage sociopath’s questionable reprogramming back into society after a stint in prison.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • In a simple demonstration, a coin cell powered a toy car for 288 cm under light, compared with 212 cm in the dark.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Stray tissues lipstick, crayon, coins, or car keys can ruin your laundry and even your machine.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • That January, the FBI raided the office of Feeding Our Future, and the Minnesota Department of Education cut off its funding.
    David Ingram, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Federal authorities have raided the East Texas ranch of a dog breeder who was recorded on video shooting and killing one of her animals.
    J.D. Miles, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

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