loot 1 of 2

noun

ˈlüt How to pronounce loot (audio)
Definition of lootnext
1
as in plunder
valuables stolen or taken by force the burglar was caught when he foolishly stopped to examine the loot from the robbery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in cash
something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment a top-ranked golfer earning plenty of loot

Synonyms & Similar Words

loot

2 of 2

verb

as in to plunder
to search through with the intent of committing robbery the bandits looted the archaeological dig before riding off into the night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun loot differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of loot are booty, plunder, prize, spoils, and spoil. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When could booty be used to replace loot?

While in some cases nearly identical to loot, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When might plunder be a better fit than loot?

In some situations, the words plunder and loot are roughly equivalent. However, plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

In what contexts can prize take the place of loot?

Although the words prize and loot have much in common, prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

How do spoil and spoils relate to one another, in the sense of loot?

Spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loot
Noun
Agents recovered some of the loot, which was worth about $100 million, while executing a search warrant on Monday. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 19 June 2025 Most of the protests in Los Angeles have been peaceful, but some have taken the opportunity to burn or vandalize property, loot, and throw projectiles at law enforcement. —Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Verb
The Journal Sentinel is not specifying the location at the request of tribal officials, due to the risk of looting. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025 During the riots, several businesses were looted, officers were assaulted with bricks, fireworks, and other objects, and vandalism occurred. —Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for loot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loot
  1. plunder
  2. cash
  3. sack
  4. treasure
  5. money
  6. pillage
  7. coin
  8. raid
Noun
  • California was also a land of plunder, a place where rampant capitalism had merged with unrealistic fantasy.
    — Andrew Moore, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • At the Jeu de Paume museum, Valland took many risks to safeguard its treasures and record the massive plunder of artwork across France.
    — Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 18 June 2025
Definition of plunder
Noun
  • The bar staff said a water would cost $2 — and only cash would be accepted.
    — Erin Clack, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • Let the cash accumulate in your account or reinvest it in a short-term Treasury fund.
    — Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of cash
Verb
  • This is the first time a studio has put tickets for sale this early in advance, but considering Nolan has a loyal army of fans large enough to sack a city, there certainly won’t be any shortage of uptake.
    — Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Red Bull driver Max Verstappen backed former boss Christian Horner before he got sacked by the higher-ups at the racing team.
    — Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Definition of sack
Noun
  • In a city where almost every historic treasure has been laid bare, this vast subterranean labyrinth is an undiscovered world.
    — Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
  • Though, they have been known to try to snatch plastic water bottles and other treasures from guests' belongings (seems like fair revenge to me).
    — Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 23 July 2025
Definition of treasure
Noun
  • There is real money behind each of these stocks both from the company, investors and short sellers.
    — Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
  • The money from the county that would be used to renovate Paycor Stadium comes from the half-cent sales tax voters approved in 1996, which is separate from the general fund used for county services such as pothole maintenance.
    — Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025
Definition of money
Verb
  • There is no serious evidence of starvation in Gaza, and what food scarcity does exist can be attributed to Hamas pillaging and hoarding aid.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Noni finds him in Crete, where Lion’s crew of pirates, assembled from fighters from around the world, are currently pillaging and enslaving a town.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 9 June 2025
Definition of pillage
Noun
  • For centuries, and in all kinds of weather, the British have licked ice creams, strolled piers and dropped coins in arcade games at the seaside.
    — Suyin Haynes, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
  • In the fall of 2022, U.S. spies said the chances of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine were 50% − a coin flip.
    — Davis Winkie, USA Today, 20 July 2025
Definition of coin
Verb
  • Federal agents raided four Colt Grill restaurant locations in Yavapai County and one in Foley, Alabama.
    — Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 19 July 2025
  • Doyle and Dixon's homes have also been raided, WBRZ reported.
    — Kerry Breen July 16, CBS News, 16 July 2025
Definition of raid

Browse Nearby Words

loosing
loot
looted
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Cite this Entry

“Loot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loot. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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