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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
The signature Borderlands loot system is here too, where every single weapon and piece of gear is randomly generated with numerous combinations of unique traits, making gameplay unpredictable and fun. George Yang, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025 Those who didn’t score tickets can console themselves with Oasis Live ‘25 loot like $49 or $56 T-shirts, $49 to $104 hoodies and other memorabilia like $28 tote bags and $56 posters. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
Days after a criminal gang stormed this rural village in Haiti’s northwest, setting fire to the local police substation and looting homes, residents remain gripped by fear amid concerns that the violence isn’t over. Ychmuth Corneille, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2025 Mobs retaliated by torching buildings, looting banks and shops, and attacking politicians in their homes. Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loot
Noun
  • As an alliance grew between senators and financial powers, public figures began profiting from real-estate speculation, slave trading, and overseas plunder—while masking their involvement.
    Zephyr Teachout, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Reparations, long proposed as the only measure proportionate to the scale of racial plunder, look increasingly like a political, economic, and legal non-starter.
    Idrees Kahloon, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • For instance, if both people are eligible but one earned more, collect the lower amount first to have some cash.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • From dishes like cast-iron live Maine lobster to a 32-ounce Creekstone Farms American Wagyu Tomahawk ribeye, this is a restaurant where you'd better be prepared to drop some cash.
    Rosalind Bowling, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • He’s been sacked 80 times in 32 starts since leaving Baltimore and will now be tasked with standing behind an offensive line ranked 30th in the league in pressure rate allowed.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
  • While opponents sacked him twice, Gabriel has yet to get picked off.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Visit an antique store In honor of Kim's Antiques, pop into a local vintage shop and try to find any Stars Hollow-like treasures — maybe even a quirky piece for your home.
    Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Vandalism, trash and human waste will tarnish natural treasures that are the envy of the world.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Critics of this approach fear that Title I money could eventually be used in ways that undermine public schools — on private school vouchers, for example.
    Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Anthony, for instance, rushed to the bank and withdrew the money demanded and gave it to someone who came to his home.
    Madhusree Mukerjee, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, members of the powerful Viv Ansanm gang coalition had pillaged and/or burned at least 410 residences and other buildings, including six schools, health centers and local nongovernmental organizations during the period.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
  • After the Broncos’ frontmen pillaged San Francisco for the better part of two hours, Castle Rock native and 49er Christian McCaffrey stood in front of reporters and confirmed what Denver’s offense has known for a few months.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF began in 1950, when a group of Philadelphia children collected coins in milk cartons to help other kids affected by war.
    Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Harrison and his team have a variety of special items at the store, ranging from centuries-old coins to one-of-a-kind memorabilia.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Elsewhere during Last Week Tonight, Oliver discussed the prevalence of grassroots pushback toward ICE agents who show up to raid and disturb neighborhoods.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The list of items that authorities found when his house was raided in 1957 is pure nightmare fuel, including a wastebasket made of human skin, bowls made from skulls, a belt made of nipples, a lampshade created from a human face, and nine vulvas in a shoebox.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Loot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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