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

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.

From Los Angeles Times

Three seasons after George and Bertha carted their majestic plunder from Old Europe into their showy manse, they’ve laid claim to New York society.

From Salon

After Maxwell’s father died in 1991 under unusual circumstances, the family was left nearly destitute when it was discovered he had plundered his companies’ pension funds.

From Salon

History is inescapable in the Middle East, always present, a storehouse of justification to be plundered.

From BBC

And when you pair it with the notion that poverty is a sin, it's also used as a justification to plunder the lower classes, when even groups of people are seen as natural resources.

From Salon

Related Words

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