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
This has created new temptations, particularly for the young people now being coaxed into putting their weekly allowance toward randomized Call of Duty loot boxes and Polymarket wagers. Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026 David is forced, by the kidnapper, to deliver the money himself, in an intricate, tensely dramatic sequence that (as in Kurosawa’s film) is centered on a moving train—here, the 4 train from Brooklyn to the Bronx, from which David must throw the loot. Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Destiny 2’s Shadow and Order post-Renegades major update is supposed to launch on March 3, which will inject at least some level of new activities and loot into the game after many, many weeks of little to do. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 For months, mausoleums in the graveyard, some more than a hundred years old, were being looted in the dead of night, police said. Gaya Gupta, Washington Post, 10 Jan. 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
  • Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
    Staff Reports, The Providence Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
  • To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.
    Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Maye was sacked 21 times in the playoffs — the most ever for a QB in a single postseason.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • With the fate of Palace’s previous two managers effectively sealed after defeats here, a loss would have seen Glasner eclipse Patrick Vieira’s 12-game winless run, a sequence which led to the Frenchman being sacked following this fixture three years ago.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Signs around the lot warn visitors of frequent break-ins, so either leave your treasure at home or hike in your pearls.
    Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • But the role Hough most treasures these days is also his newest—dad.
    Sari Hitchins, Parents, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Karen Powers overheard the adjuster accusing her husband and brother of having failed to perform work with the money that State Farm had issued on the earlier claim.
    J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Cathy is also a woman feeling the pressure of getting married, ideally to a dude with money.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Feb. 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
  • Green Day Green Day will be a part of an on-field performance just before the coin toss as the NFL honors Super Bowl MVPs of the past ahead of the 60th game in its history.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
  • There are literally thousands of potential bets on the game and everything surrounding it — from the coin toss to who will score the first touchdown to who will appear onscreen during the ads.
    David Hill, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • As recently as December, police raided a gay-friendly venue in the nation’s capital, Baku, and detained more than 100 people.
    Ryan Oehrli Updated February 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Police raided Mitchell’s Vallejo home and found the gun, an extended magazine, and body armor, according to the criminal complaint.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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