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, ravage, rape

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: robbery, rapine

2. that which is taken in plundering; loot.

   Synonyms: spoils, booty, 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

Other Word Forms

• plunderable adjective
• plunderer noun
• plunderingly adverb
• plunderous adjective
• unplundered adjective
• unplunderous adjective
• unplunderously 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

Each day, the French cops informed the public, it was less likely the bandits would be wrapped up and their plunder recovered.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“All the days of my life I have seen nothing that rejoiced my heart so much as these things,” the German artist wrote of Cortés’ plunder.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Or—as has happened multiple times in Fairfax—the legalized plunder of medical facilities and/or collection of federal funds by new owners without paying the hospital’s bills.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Goal machine Haaland took his tally to seven goals this week by netting twice in Sunday's 3-0 victory over rivals Manchester United, having plundered an astonishing five in Norway's 11-1 hammering of Moldova on Tuesday.

Read more on BBC

For years, a sophisticated retail crime ring plundered Home Depots across Southern California, pulling off more than 600 thefts and netting an estimated $10 million worth of merchandise without consequences — until now, authorities said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• devastate 
• liberate 
• loot 
• pillage 
• ransack 
• requisition 
• rob 
• salvage