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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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
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Lowell plunders an emerald out of a wrecked ship, starts a fistfight with a local ruler, nearly dies when a boa constrictor wraps itself around her neck, and is wounded by an alligator.—
Michael Waters,
New Yorker,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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Boosters, for those not acquainted with the word, are shoplifters who resell their spoils at a discount.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, this is an excellent day to buy wardrobe treasures for yourself.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
17 Mar. 2026
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They were unearthed by the eagle eye of wunderkind antique dealer Jamie Sharp, a rising star in the world of vintage treasures and, so, a natural partner for The Vault.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
17 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 2026.
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