as in pillages
to search through with the intent of committing robbery
the bandits looted the archaeological dig before riding off into the night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loots
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Israel blames Hamas for the scale of the destruction in Gaza, saying the group hides behind civilians, uses civil infrastructure for military purposes, and loots humanitarian aid intended for ordinary Gazans.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loots
Verb
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Critics contend the industry plunders distressed companies, leading to downsizing and cost-cutting that hurts local communities, though other research has pushed back on that reputation.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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By delegitimizing the Islamic Republic as an occupying force—one that plunders national wealth to subsidize regional proxies—the opposition has effectively subverted the regime’s nationalist rhetoric.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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During Akbar’s conquest of the Malwa region in India, Adham Khan was accused of under-reporting the spoils of the war and appropriating much of it for his own use.—
Tamanna Nangia,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Such is the suffering of the lowly expendables, but spoils of war for the oligarchy of greed and power.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Mementos, memorabilia and treasures from Weintraub’s unique life will soon be hitting the auction block courtesy of Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
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The public is invited to look for hidden treasures on nickel, quarter and diem tables or try their luck with a raffle.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Manning, back for what is probably his final season, is on the short list of best returning quarterbacks in the country and edge rusher Colin Simmons won the SEC sacks title with 12.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Jan. 2026
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Riley Moss sacks a scrambling Trevor Lawrence on third-and-4 for a 1-yard loss.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
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More news to know now FBI raids Atlanta election facility.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The culminating episode, as the mob smashes and ransacks a hospital and terrorizes its patients, ultimately reveals a frail elderly man, standing naked and alone in an empty bathtub as the assailants approach.—
John Penner,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loots. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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