loot

[ loot ]

/ lut /

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See synonyms for: loot / looted / looting / looter on Thesaurus.com

noun

spoils or plunder taken by pillaging, as in war.

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR loot

1 booty.

8 sack, ransack.

See synonyms for loot on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of loot

First recorded in 1780–90; from Hindi lūṭ, from Sanskrit lotra, loptra “booty, spoil”

OTHER WORDS FROM loot

looter, noun

Other definitions for loot (2 of 2)

loot²

[ loot ]

/ lut /

verb Scot.

simple past tense of let¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use loot in a sentence

The protest was peaceful for most of the day but turned violent as the evening wore on, and it ended with businesses being looted and a woman being hospitalized after police shot her in the head with a bean bag.
22 Photos That Tell the Story of 2020|Adriana Heldiz|December 29, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Some of these prosecutors have been elected in places like Philadelphia or Arlington County or San Francisco are in no small part responsible for either the rioting and looting you see in Philadelphia.
The Trailer: Republicans build their own fan clubs in Iowa|David Weigel|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
Leaving candy outside instead of handing it out at the door also protects the person providing the loot, Malley says.
How to safely celebrate Halloween during COVID-19|Kate Baggaley|October 29, 2020|Popular-Science
One other man in San Diego faces charges of burglary and vandalism and another is charged with looting.
No Unlawful Assembly Charges So Far Following Dozens of Arrests|Brittany Cruz-Fejeran and Ashly McGlone|October 12, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Defend East County emerged after protests gave way to looting this summer in La Mesa.
Politics Report: The Election After the Election Is Underway|Andrew Keatts and Scott Lewis|October 10, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Before preservationists could put a stop to it, he and other looters had raided and destroyed precious relics buried at the site.
Egypt Ain’t The Only Pyramid Show In Town|Nina Strochlic|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Looters and vandals damaged more than a dozen stores and businesses in Oakland, Calif., news reports said.
This Week's Riots Are Part of America's Long History of Racial Rage|Sharon Adarlo|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Over two days in August, rioters and looters rampaged through stores and threw stones.
This Week's Riots Are Part of America's Long History of Racial Rage|Sharon Adarlo|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As looters roamed, you could hear a few of the refrains that have defined this situation, most notably “No justice, no peace.”
Raging Protesters Set Ferguson on Fire|Justin Glawe|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now to compare ISIS radicals and Ferguson looters is not to say that they are the same in all respects.
Dinesh D’Souza: Ferguson Protesters Are Just Like ISIS|Olivia Nuzzi|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The diamond-hilted sword was not taken into the fray, unfortunately, as it happened, and fell a prey to the baggage-looters.
Armour in England|J. Starkie Gardner
There had not been much damage done by the looters on the day of the revolt.
The Adventures of Kathlyn|Harold MacGrath
All through 1793 bands of looters came out from Mcon to break windows and destroy images.
How France Built Her Cathedrals|Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
Looters have noses like bloodhounds for inhabited spots, and start at once in pursuit.
'Neath Verdun, August-October, 1914|Maurice Genevoix
Next, crowds of looters were observed going back in the direction of Gabari, laden with goods from the neighbouring shops.
The Egyptian campaigns, 1882 to 1885|Charles Royle

British Dictionary definitions for loot

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

Derived forms of loot

looter, noun

Word Origin for loot

C19: from Hindi lūt

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

loot

OTHER WORDS FOR loot

Origin of loot

OTHER WORDS FROM loot

Other definitions for loot (2 of 2)

Words related to loot

How to use loot in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for loot

Derived forms of loot

Word Origin for loot