Thesaurus results for LOOT

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

loot 1 of 2

noun

ˈlüt

Definition of loot

as in plunder

valuables stolen or taken by force the burglar was caught when he foolishly stopped to examine the loot from the robbery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in cash

something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment a top-ranked golfer earning plenty of loot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The expansion features six skill slots, greater enemy variety, the return of loot grinding and appraisal, and a massive new map to explore. — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026 Despite other colonial loot being returned over the decades, the diamond men literally died for still sits in the Jewel House in the Tower of London. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

One of the Buddhas was looted more than 100 years ago from the Tianlongshan Grottoes, a temple complex in Shanxi Province. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 David Cassirer has argued the law clearly requires the museum to return the painting — and has pledged to support other looting victims with any proceeds. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loot

Recent Examples of Synonyms for loot

Noun

The law came in response to the historic genocide against Indigenous peoples, the forcible removal from their ancestral lands and widespread plunder of Indian grave sites by European settlers, the American government and zealous archaeologists.

— Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2026
To the family’s lawyer, Markus Stötzel, the case is a typical example of Nazi plunder in need of immediate restoration.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of plunder

Noun

Account holders can generally save their money in cash and invest funds within the accounts, similar to a retirement account like a 401(k).

— Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
In 2004, the Pentagon hosted a contest that promised a cash prize to the winner of a driverless race through the desert.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of cash

Noun

Considered the most expensive work in the world at the time of its creation, the book was valued at 2 million francs (about $408,000 in 1961 dollars); today it is considered a French heritage treasure, its value estimated at several million euros.

— News Desk, Artforum, 7 Oct. 2026
The treasures of both the sea and the surrounding mountains are at your fingertips thanks to an array of land and water activities ranging from hikes and beach picnics to fishing experiences and sunset cruises.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of treasure

Verb

Sudan’s civil war, a conflict credibly described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, has seen violence matched only by the belligerents’ rapacity in pillaging the country’s riches.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Most notable is how the Premier League’s most famous clubs increasingly pillage the internal market for reliable and proven talent, rather than taking bets on cheaper or further-flung bets from across the continent or beyond.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of pillage

Noun

The ancient coin is one of many that have surfaced across the United Kingdom.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
For now, the district is a strip mall of low-slung buildings whose tenants include a vape shop, a Filipino restaurant, a coin laundromat, and a cellphone store.

— Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of coin

Verb

The Pussycat on Biscayne Boulevard near 79th Street in Miami was raided by police 18 times between 1978 and 1987.

— David Goodhue October 9, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
On Thursday, October 8, a judge ruled that the search warrants the Thames Valley Police used to raid Andrew’s homes were unlawful.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of raid

Browse Nearby Words

loosing

loot

looted

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“Loot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of loot

noun

verb

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