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
Armed gangs, now in control of most of the capital, have emptied out entire neighborhoods, shuttered schools and set looted and set fire to hospitals. Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026 Later on, plundering Barbary pirates raided Mallorca, looting possessions, slaughtering inhabitants and capturing others for the slave trade. Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for loot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loot
Noun
  • The Pirates contributed to the plunder with two errors (both of which produced runs).
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
  • 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
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
  • The pair kept venturing farther across the rocks, hoping to find more treasures along the shoreline.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
  • Witter is Desert Vintage’s longest-serving employee, save for its current owners, Roberto Cowan and Salima Boufelfel, and is in charge of categorizing and dating the rare and glorious treasures that come through the shop’s doors.
    Max Berlinger, Vogue, 11 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
  • Some commentators’ dark horses for the tournament, Norway qualified from Europe with a perfect record, pillaging goals at will, while mercilessly dispatching opponents.
    Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
  • Picking up where episode 7 left off, Wayne (Toby Wallace) wakes up to Rue pillaging his safe.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • The coin depicts Trump on its front, with its packaging also featuring photos of him and White.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
  • Segregated storage keeps your exact coins and bars separate from other investors’ holdings.
    Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 12 June 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

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Cite this Entry

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

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