plundering 1 of 2

plundering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of plunder
as in pillaging
to search through with the intent of committing robbery the escaped convict plundered the house in search of valuables

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 plundering
Noun
Some have traveled farther as part of colonial-era collections — as far as the British Museum — and been returned; a story unto itself about the plundering of the natural world in the age of empire, and institutions reckoning with their inheritance. Tom Page, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026 Living through the aftermath of Rome’s plundering in 410 by the Visigoths, Augustine keenly appreciated the fact that empires come and go. Brett Whalen, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026 An intimate doc-feature take on renowned Panamanian anthropologist Reina Torres de Araúz (1932-82), who battled the plundering of artifacts from pre-1492 tombs, told from th POV of a soon who lost her mother too soon. John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026 ByteDance’s statement follows the Chinese tech giant receiving cease and desist letters from Disney and Paramount, calling for an immediate halt to IP plundering. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026 It was revealed during that trial that Low's plundering of the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund exceeded $4 billion. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Nov. 2025 Aron Solomon on how the Meta AI copyright decision made libraries sitting ducks for AI plundering. Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
Verb
But Texas Tech isn't the only program from the Lone Star State whose commit list LSU is plundering. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 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 Kyiv has long accused Russia of plundering these regions' resources. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026 But the sea lies in a region of the Golden State where there are already numerous environmental concerns, and some residents worry that plundering for lithium could exacerbate the problem. Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 7 Apr. 2026 If there really was a class of unaccountable, libertine global élites plundering the world, then wasn’t Trump obviously a member? Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026 Most Americans don’t want our nation to be an imperial aggressor threatening, conquering and plundering weaker nations. Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026 An increasing number of bears had previously been observed spending more time on land during the summer, plundering birds’ nests in west Svalbard, and data had shown more adult females in east Svalbard spending more time in areas with bird colonies. Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026 Bainbridge wasn’t shy about plundering her personal life for material. Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plundering
Noun
  • The absence of an effective police force meant the looting was impossible to prevent.
    Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026
  • El-Farra said police arrested one person on suspicion of looting and six others on suspicion of prowling.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • Picking up where episode 7 left off, Wayne (Toby Wallace) wakes up to Rue pillaging his safe.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
  • OpenAI has been pillaging Apple’s hardware engineering ranks for talent to work on competitors to Apple’s smart home and mobile devices, while Meta is revamping its own AI wearables.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • Lee is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, June 11, for a double murder during a pawn shop robbery in 1998.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • In practical terms, according to a person familiar with the discussions surrounding the new requirement, ships may need to use armed security teams on board or equipment designed to prevent hijackings, kidnappings or robberies.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The showpiece against the hosts was the first genuinely one-sided final in the competition, with the Swedes unable to cope with Pele, Vava, Garrincha and the marauding Djalma Santos.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 5 June 2026
  • It was founded in 1621 as a garrison against the marauding Danes.
    Laura Moser, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
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
Verb
  • Villa’s then sporting director Monchi reportedly attempting a straight swap of him for goalkeeper Emi Martinez last summer is a sacking offence (perhaps literally).
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 May 2026
  • Giants linebacker Abdul Carter didn’t waste any time sacking his own quarterback.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • Democrats never dare to criticize any of these Third World monsters, only the cops trying to protect American taxpayers from their cruel depredations.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
  • More than $1 million has reportedly been paid to rancher claimants for wildlife depredation.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • The former tomb-raiding Angelina Jolie also happens to be a Gemini, which Wilton Regan says is compatible with her own air sign.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
  • Even rural birds manage to find some human items, most likely by raiding farm bins or garages.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Plundering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plundering. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

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