plunder

[ pluhn-der ]
See synonyms for: plunderplunderedplunderingplunders on Thesaurus.com

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.

  2. to rob, despoil, or fleece: to plunder the public treasury.

  1. 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.

  2. that which is taken in plundering; loot.

  1. anything taken by robbery, theft, or fraud.

Origin of plunder

1
First recorded in 1620–30, plunder is from the Dutch word plunderen

Other words for plunder

Other words from plunder

  • plun·der·a·ble, adjective
  • plun·der·er, noun
  • plun·der·ing·ly, adverb
  • plun·der·ous, adjective
  • un·plun·dered, adjective
  • un·plun·der·ous, adjective
  • un·plun·der·ous·ly, adverb

Words Nearby plunder

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use plunder in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for plunder

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

Origin of plunder

1
C17: probably from Dutch plunderen (originally: to plunder household goods); compare Middle High German plunder bedding, household goods

Derived forms of plunder

  • plunderable, adjective
  • plunderer, noun
  • plunderous, adjective

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