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loot
1[loot]
noun
- spoils or plunder taken by pillaging, as in war. Synonyms: booty
- anything taken by dishonesty, force, stealth, etc.. - a burglar's loot. 
- a collection of valued objects. - The children shouted and laughed as they opened their Christmas loot. 
- Slang., money. - You'll have a fine time spending all that loot. 
- the act of looting or plundering. - to take part in the loot of a conquered city. 
- (in a video game) valuable items that can be claimed from a defeated enemy or cache. - I was hoping for new armor, but this loot was pretty disappointing. 
verb (used with object)
- to carry off or take (something) as loot. - to loot a nation's art treasures. 
- to despoil by taking loot; plunder or pillage (a city, house, etc.), as in war. - The invaders looted temples and shrines. 
- to rob, as by burglary or corrupt activity in public office. - to loot the public treasury. 
- (in a video game) to collect (items from a defeated enemy or cache). - Loot all of the bodies and treasure chests before you exit the dungeon. 
verb (used without object)
- to take loot; plunder. - The conquerors looted and robbed. 
loot
2[loot]
verb
- simple past tense of let. 
loot
/ luːt /
noun
- goods stolen during pillaging, as in wartime, during riots, etc 
- goods, money, etc, obtained illegally 
- informal, money or wealth 
- the act of looting or plundering 
verb
- to pillage (a city, settlement, etc) during war or riots 
- to steal (money or goods), esp during pillaging 
Other Word Forms
- looter noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of loot1
Word History and Origins
Origin of loot1
Example Sentences
"The situation in el-Fasher is extremely dire and there are violations taking place on the roads, including looting and shooting, with no distinction made between young or old," one man told the BBC Arabic service.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the five suspects detained on Wednesday included a main suspect whose DNA linked him to the brazen seven-minute heist, though none of the loot had been found.
More than 60 people were sentenced to jail terms of up to 15 years, mainly for vandalism, looting, or arson, while some of the remainder received suspended sentences, prosecutors said.
Several armed gangs in Gaza are reportedly acting under Israeli protection, and allegedly loot aid convoys entering the territory, where shortages remain dire after Israel's wartime blockade.
The republican ethos was to loot defeated enemies and share your good fortune by allowing your fellow citizens into your home to view the spoils.
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When To Use
Loot is an informal way to collectively refer to valued goods, often ones that are newly acquired, as in That is one big pile of birthday presents—look at all that loot!This meaning of loot is an extension of its original sense, which is still used but less commonly: goods stolen during war. Close synonyms are spoils and plunder. These words and loot can also refer more generally to anything stolen or taken in a dishonest way, such as through burglary or embezzlement.Loot can also be used as a verb meaning to steal things in this way. It is most commonly used to refer to opportunistically stealing things from physical locations during chaotic situations, when police or other authorities are preoccupied, such as in the midst of war or a massive protest. It can also be used in a general or somewhat metaphorical way—crimes like embezzling government money are sometimes referred to as looting the treasury. The act of doing so is called looting, and those who do it are called looters. These terms and the verb loot are always used negatively. They’re sometimes used in a loaded way that’s intended to portray people as lawless, such as when one tries to discredit protesters by calling them rioters and looters.Example: The museum has chosen to return artifacts that were looted from other nations during antiquity.
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