plunder
verb (used with object)
to rob of goods or valuables by open force, as in war, hostile raids, brigandage, etc...
had been plundering
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past perfect progressiveof plunder.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While Seabiscuit had spent the summer pillaging the West, War Admiral had been plundering the East with four triumphs in succession.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
On one occasion he was marching with his forces from the north to encounter the Danes, who had been plundering in Suffolk and had reached Essex.
From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Ely A History and Description of the Building with a Short Account of the Monastery and of the See by W. D. (Walter Debenham) Sweeting
When at last he arrived at the spot on the coast where the pirates had been plundering, he often found that they were already gone.
From A Student's History of England, v. 1 (of 3) From the earliest times to the Death of King Edward VII by Samuel Rawson Gardiner
The soldiers modestly demurred a little at the ruffles and lace, but Mrs. Bickerdyke suggested to them that if any inquiries were made, they could say that they had been plundering the secessionists.
From Woman's Work in the Civil War A Record of Heroism, Patriotism, and Patience by Henry W. Bellows
A second glance showed him that this individual was Pillichody, and satisfied that he had been plundering the house, he instantly seized him.
From Old Saint Paul's A Tale of the Plague and the Fire by William Harrison Ainsworth
