plundering 1 of 2

Definition of plunderingnext

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
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 So, the Board of Supervisors, through the County Executive Officer, has pirated the Treasurer’s office and is now plundering it. John Moorlach, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 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 Trump is not keeping that a secret but is being quite open about plundering it all. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plundering
Noun
  • Some start in the 1800s, and others start post-1970 under the UNESCO framework that has outlawed the looting of cultural heritage across the world.
    Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026
  • The looting report in Haaretz follows several other misconduct complaints against Israeli soldiers in Lebanon.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Then Joe Biden and his corrupt administration comes along and makes matters worse, allowing thousands of criminals to enter our country illegally, pillaging Americans while being pampered in luxury hotels on our dime.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Schuman now faces a felony count of robbery by sudden snatching in addition to three misdemeanors — one count of battery, one count of petit theft and one count of criminal mischief, court records show.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
  • He was previously charged with robbery and handgun violations, police said.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • But when a boy is killed, and with throngs of beachgoers en route for the July 4th holiday, Brody teams with oceanographer Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) to track down and kill the marauding Great White Shark.
    David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The war ends, and marauding Russians confiscate the family estate.
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But so far the government has decided not to intervene by sacking him and backpedalling on allowing Russia to participate.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 6 May 2026
  • Any hope that Liam Rosenior’s sacking 12 days ago would spark an upturn, especially after their FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds United, have been brought back to reality.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Even as their work was winding down this session, federal agents looking for evidence of fraud were raiding autism and daycare centers in the state.
    Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 13 May 2026
  • Who knew that raiding the fridge and pantry could taste like a million bucks.
    Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • His nanny was his fierce protector and insulated him from the depredations of Nazis and their enablers, baptizing him and teaching him to handily hurl anti-Jewish epithets to fit in.
    Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
  • Those nonlethal management methods reduced the risk of depredation but were not 100% successful, said Ethan Kohn, a wildlife damage specialist.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Plundering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plundering. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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