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
Activities for children include the popular Kids Sustainable Treasure Hunt in which participants check in with various exhibitors to learn about sustainability and earn a bag of loot. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 Unbeknownst to her, the loot had been stashed in her attic crawl space. Jennifer Cannon, Vanity Fair, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
The mob burned and looted Shepherd’s home while attacking surrounding homes and businesses. Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026 Two notable exceptions are Sednaya Military Prison, which was looted and partially closed, and Tadmur Military Prison, which was partly demolished by ISIS and then bombed. Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 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
  • Carson’s entry took second prize and a thousand-dollar cash award.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • The deal was reportedly valued at over $1 billion and involved a mix of cash and stock.
    Amelia Lucas,Melissa Repko, CNBC, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Awosika, Biadasz and Strange were key offseason free-agent signings Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz made in order to fill the gaps between Slater and Alt and better protect Herbert, who was sacked 54 times during the 2025 season, the most in any of his five previous NFL seasons.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
  • And as Pulisic’s private jet made its way from Italy to New York, the club’s coach, sporting director and two other top executives were sacked.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • From a parade of tall ships to a downtown block party to glimpse of some of our country’s iconic treasures under one roof, this is the time to celebrate the American Experiment.
    Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 4 June 2026
  • Others have noted that police have nabbed underground treasure seekers from time to time.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • The general sales tax increase puts money into the county’s general fund for five years and sunsets in October 2031.
    Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026
  • That money will be used to add an additional $250 to the accounts of the first 25 million children who are 10 years old and under who live in zip codes where the median income is less than $150,000.
    Ella McCarthy, Arkansas Online, 8 June 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
  • The President is also slated to appear on a number of coins, including a commemorative 24-karat gold coin and a $1 coin that will reportedly circulate as currency.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 29 May 2026
  • In all recent drafts, the second round has gone in reverse order of win-loss record, with no lottery and ties settled by a coin toss.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • The ranch was raided in 2003, and Jackson was subsequently charged on 10 criminal counts, including child molestation.
    Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
  • According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, deputies raided the home and found eight people recovering from cosmetic surgery inside, along with two employees.
    Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 3 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on loot

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster