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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
This includes in-game loot in a variety of popular games, free game downloads, free downloadable content (DLC) and expansions, and more. Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 13 June 2025 The combat, the sense of discovery, the leveling up and finding awesome new loot, none of this will really translate to a film. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
Los Angeles officials said 23 businesses were looted overnight Monday, causing damage that is estimated to be in the millions. Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 13 June 2025 California is not the only place or time where Democrats have called rioting, burning and looting by Antifa or BLM rioters’ peaceful demonstrations. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for loot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loot
Noun
  • California was also a land of plunder, a place where rampant capitalism had merged with unrealistic fantasy.
    Andrew Moore, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • At the Jeu de Paume museum, Valland took many risks to safeguard its treasures and record the massive plunder of artwork across France.
    Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Gone are Gascón’s reformist policies discouraging the use of cash bail and limiting the use of sentencing enhancements.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
  • Founded in 2011, PLD Space has raised more than 160 million euros ($188 million) to date, but the company is highly leveraged, with half of its cash coming in the form of loans.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Ange Postecoglou was sacked two weeks later and replaced by Thomas Frank.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 10 July 2025
  • On a stroll through New York City yesterday, Hathaway’s outfit offered a fun solution for not sacking off your denim in the high summer heat just yet.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • The itinerary takes guests to as many as 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, immersing travelers in India’s cultural treasure and heritages.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025
  • Photograph: Simon Hill Ravensburger Labyrinth $30 $21 (30% off) Amazon Labyrinth is a top family game that has kids collect treasures by shifting maze tiles each turn.
    Parker Hall, Wired News, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • If companies needed money from the markets, the markets had their sources of capital appropriately drawn from those with ample surplus funds, including banks and bond issuers with the populace’s money.
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • In October, the project got a boost when the Department of Transportation under President Joe Biden approved Miami-Dade for $389 million toward the Northeast Corridor, money requiring congressional approval that’s still pending.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Noni finds him in Crete, where Lion’s crew of pirates, assembled from fighters from around the world, are currently pillaging and enslaving a town.
    Kambole Campbell, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • Angry over the tagless intruders' prior antics in pillaging their resources, a horde of players descend upon the USS Callister crew, who flee while digital Nanette makes her way to the engine in the hopes of finding a solve.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Then, select the perfect charm to express your style, with options including a coin, a heart, a lightning bolt, a lock and a butterfly.
    Caitlyn Martyn may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
  • These are games that use virtual coins — which in turn, can be cashed in for real money or prizes — to play online casino-like games, according to the Anaheim Democrat’s office.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Bread and milk were in short supply after worried customers raided shelves at grocery stores and bakeries.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • His story came into the spotlight after law enforcement raided Jamaica's Atlantis Leadership Academy.
    Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Loot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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