plunder

[ pluhn-der ]

verb (used with object)

1. to rob of goods or valuables by open force, as in war, hostile raids, brigandage, etc.:

   to plunder a town.

   Synonyms: devastate, sack, rape, ravage

2. to rob, despoil, or fleece:

   to plunder the public treasury.

3. to take wrongfully, as by pillage, robbery, or fraud:

   to plunder a piece of property.

verb (used without object)

1. to take plunder; pillage.

noun

1. plundering, pillage, or spoliation.

   Synonyms: rapine, robbery

2. that which is taken in plundering; loot.

   Synonyms: spoils, booty

3. anything taken by robbery, theft, or fraud.

plunder

/ ˈplʌndə /

verb

1. to steal (valuables, goods, sacred items, etc) from (a town, church, etc) by force, esp in time of war; loot
2. tr to rob or steal (choice or desirable things) from (a place)

   to plunder an orchard

noun

1. anything taken by plundering or theft; booty
2. the act of plundering; pillage

Derived Forms

• ˈplunderous, adjective
• ˈplunderer, noun
• ˈplunderable, adjective

Other Words From

• plunder·a·ble adjective
• plunder·er noun
• plunder·ing·ly adverb
• plunder·ous adjective
• un·plundered adjective
• un·plunder·ous adjective
• un·plunder·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of plunder¹

First recorded in 1620–30, plunder is from the Dutch word plunderen

Word History and Origins

Origin of plunder¹

C17: probably from Dutch plunderen (originally: to plunder household goods); compare Middle High German plunder bedding, household goods

Example Sentences

Corcoran’s chief anxiety was a Democratic uprising: a Trump victory, she said, would lead people in the cities to pillage and plunder.

From Los Angeles Times

He had to watch Shafique and Masood plunder runs from the fourth over of the day until well after tea.

From BBC

In an apocalyptic speech littered with personal insults about President Joe Biden, including mocking his stutter, he said the surge of migrants across the southern border would lead to the plunder of US cities and the violation of its people.

From BBC

The full extent of plunder by Russian troops came to light in the final days of the occupation of the southern city of Kherson.

From BBC

And now, after decades of neoliberal plunder and the coronation of an avowed Christian nationalist — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson — to the third most powerful position in the government, the Christian Right and its wealthy patrons have their eyes set on an even more ambitious power-grab: Project 2025.

From Salon

Related Words

• pillage