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
And sticky fingers in California are stretching out to get some of the management fees for handling the loot. Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026 The Republican donors get their roles, splitting their loot with the more pliable components of the Castro clique. Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
The only time the family has been looted was in 2025, when a bear came into the yard and upturned the beehives. Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026 Richard Schmeelk died at age 97 in May 2022 — but Corona kept on looting his widow’s accounts, according to court records. Kamaron McNair,dan Mangan, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loot
Noun
  • Many Indians and students of colonialism see it as a symbol of the British Empire and the domination and plunder of imperialism.
    Emma Caughlan, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Critics contend the industry plunders distressed companies, leading to downsizing and cost-cutting that hurts local communities, though other research has pushed back on that reputation.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Spirit’s losses grew, and its cash pile shrank.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • Winner may not substitute, assign or transfer Prize or redeem Prize for cash, but Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute Prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value.
    AJC.com, AJC.com, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Starmer sacked Mandelson last September after a trove of emails revealed the depth of his ties with Epstein.
    Elizabeth Piper, USA Today, 7 May 2026
  • But there have also been frequent changes in the dugout, with seven managers since Mauricio Pochettino was sacked in November 2019, and a major change in the boardroom, with the Lewis family removing Daniel Levy from his role as executive chairman last September.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • The barren landscape, despite its harsh conditions (daytime temperatures often exceed 125 degrees Fahrenheit), was—and still is—famous for its connection to many legends of treasure.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
  • Children are seen as neither a treasure nor the future flag bearers of this country’s immense potential and responsibility.
    Randi Weingarten, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • The high-profile event raises money for the Met’s Costume Institute, and each year the dress code for the gala takes cues from the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition.
    Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
  • Americans cannot afford, in lives or in money, more unrestrained, never-ending wars.
    Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • OpenAI has been pillaging Apple’s hardware engineering ranks for talent to work on competitors to Apple’s smart home and mobile devices, while Meta is revamping its own AI wearables.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
  • Then Joe Biden and his corrupt administration comes along and makes matters worse, allowing thousands of criminals to enter our country illegally, pillaging Americans while being pampered in luxury hotels on our dime.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Retail prices for coins and bars typically include premiums above the spot price.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 8 May 2026
  • Test your knowledge of remarkable road trips, cool coin collections and more in this week's American Culture Quiz.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The action came three months after French law enforcement authorities raided X’s Paris office and summoned Musk for questioning.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
  • The Upper East Side townhouse had been raided by the FBI two years earlier.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Loot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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