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
  • Trump has frequently complained that Obama’s deal included the transport of cash from the US to Iran.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
  • Brianna was held on a $25,000 cash bond and Kierianna was held on a $100,000 cash bond.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • But the Falcons’ collapse became more likely late in the fourth quarter when Trey Flowers sacked Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who failed to throw the ball away on second-and-11 at the Patriots’ 23-yard line with less than four minutes to go.
    Zach Powell, New York Times, 12 June 2026
  • That statement stood in stark contrast to the longstanding stodginess of the Kings, which dissipated into flat-out ineffectiveness under Jim Hiller for three quarters of last season until he was sacked.
    Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 11 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
  • But Boston has not wisely or efficiently reinvested that money into the team, with the exception of the offseason trade for Willson Contreras to play first base.
    Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • The family is now trying to raise money on the fundraising site GoFundMe to bring justice to Jameson and pay for cremation fees.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 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
  • Growing up in the east London suburbs, Scott would sing in her local church choir in the afternoons, then raid her dad’s Windows Media Player playlists to discover Janet Jackson and Kate Bush in the evenings.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 13 June 2026
  • Rather than raiding my bar cart, this recipe gets a boost by way of a couple items normally found on the breakfast menu.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Loot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

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