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
-
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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Kendrick won, for sure—to the victor go the spoils.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
18 May 2026
-
To the victors go the spoils, or in this case, to the victors go the closers (current and former), the slugger and the skipper.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
Noun
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Small treasures that a child holds onto for safety and comfort.—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
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In 2025, archaeologists in northern Germany uncovered a hoard of roughly 1,000-year-old Viking treasures after a metal detectorist alerted officials to the find.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 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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In the character's final scene, as the DEA raids her rural compound, Laurie ties a rope around her neck and jumps from the roof of her home.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
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In the meantime, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finally raids Laurie's property, thanks to the intel Rue had been giving them.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
1 June 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 8 Jun. 2026.
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