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

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
All that loot pumped out of the Armenian proletariat, says the gaur, and for what. Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 In another, thieves cut their way in through the roof, making off with thousands of dollars’ worth of loot. Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
Stolen Louvre loot worth $102 million may be melted down. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026 Law enforcement officers were injured, autonomous vehicles were set on fire and stores were looted. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loot
Noun
  • After more than a century of plunder and strife, under tyrants as diverse as King Leopold II of Belgium and Mobutu Sese Seko, the present-day DRC still occupies the dark heart of the continent in much of the world’s imagination.
    Holden Frith, TheWeek, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The Venezuelan regime is broadly unpopular in Latin America; its socialism of plunder has sent millions of desperate people into Colombia and other states.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • There’s plenty of cash available for pristine credits with credible AI narratives.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Fundraisers can be set up in minutes through a simple app, with no inventory or cash handling required, and organizations keep 50% of every dollar sold.
    Tim Heitmann, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • After a story in German tabloid Bild on Wednesday suggested that Tuttle was about to be sacked, film business insiders and Berlinale staffer rallied to her defense.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026
  • The Kings, on the other hand, just sacked their head coach and are in peril of missing the playoffs altogether for the first time in five years, sitting behind wayward franchises like Seattle and Nashville in the postseason race.
    Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Dunn, whose family roots trace back over 125 years and seven generations in Volusia County, feels a deep sense of sentimentality for local treasures.
    Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
  • The series primarily concerns Flint's efforts to wrangle his crew and protect the lawlessness of the island New Providence, as well as quests to attain treasure across the high seas.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The bill expanded background checks for gun purchasers under the age of 21 and also provided federal money for state red flag laws.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026
  • While a few lifers grumble, this infusion of talent (not to mention tech money) is good news for residents and travelers.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • North Texas — whose roster was pillaged in the portal and saw its top players leave for Oklahoma State alongside former head coach Eric Morris — have signed 42 transfers.
    Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
  • In a landscape of sequels and overly pillaged IP, the Stranger Things finale is finite and close-ended, the credits rolling once and for all.
    Yohana Desta, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This detailed build also includes a commemorative armored Batman minifigure and a special golden coin built right into the cockpit, which marks 20 years of Lego Batman builds.
    Brittany Anas, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The penny was first created in 1792 and was one of the first coins authorized under the Coinage Act.
    News Service Of Florida, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The Los Angeles School Board placed Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on indefinite administrative leave Friday, two days after FBI agents raided his California home and school district office.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The couple lost their initial clutch in late January after ravens raided their nest.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Loot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

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