plunder

American  

[pluhn-der] / ˈplʌn dər /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of plunder

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

Example Sentences

I beamed at Aunt Kitty, feeling clever at seizing the opportunity to be alone with Mrs. Maroney’s plunder.

From Literature

With CGI-enhanced action, thunderous fight sequences and dialogue like, "I enter politics not to plunder, but to serve", the film blurs fiction and intent.

From BBC

He ran up debts, plundered her money and spun a story about a blackmailer from prison coming for them.

From BBC

Hazen, the impulsive younger brother, knows the location of an enormous stash of antlers deep in Yellowstone and is eager to plunder it.

From The Wall Street Journal

The 36-year-old, who will be captain in Perth, has plundered 18 of his 36 Test tons on home soil, averaging a formidable 59.70.

From Barron's

Related Words

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