plunder
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
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to steal (valuables, goods, sacred items, etc) from (a town, church, etc) by force, esp in time of war; loot
-
(tr) to rob or steal (choice or desirable things) from (a place)
to plunder an orchard
noun
-
anything taken by plundering or theft; booty
-
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cambodian monks chanted blessings and scattered flowers Friday over 74 cultural artefacts returned to the country after being plundered by a notorious British antiques smuggler.
From Barron's
He thinks humanity is engaged in a “plunder” of nature “while our profligate use of land and energy continues to ruin our planet and threaten our existence.”
But prosecutors said the real aim was to "plunder their bank accounts".
From BBC
In an abandoned warehouse in Johannesburg, Prof Grace sets out her high-stakes plan - to break into museums and private collections and take back artefacts mostly plundered during colonial times.
From BBC
I beamed at Aunt Kitty, feeling clever at seizing the opportunity to be alone with Mrs. Maroney’s plunder.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
