Plunder

/ˈplʌndə/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To pillage, take or destroy all the goods of, by force (as in war); to raid, sack..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To pillage, take or destroy all the goods of, by force (as in war); to raid, sack.
2. (transitive) To take (goods) by pillage.
3. (intransitive) To take by force or wrongfully; to commit robbery or looting, to raid.
4. (transitive) To make extensive (over)use of, as if by plundering; to use or use up wrongfully.
5. (transitive) To take unexpectedly.
6. An instance of plundering.
7. The loot attained by plundering.
8. (slang, dated) Baggage; luggage.

Example Sentences

The mercenaries plundered the small town.

The shopkeeper was plundered of his possessions by the burglar.

Now Azaēlos, the king of Syria, made war on the Israelites and their king Jehu, and ravaged the eastern parts of the country across the Jordan […] spreading fire everywhere and plundering everything and inflicting violence on all who fell into his hands.

The mercenaries plundered all the goods they found.

“Now to plunder, mateys!” screamed a buccaneer, to cries of “Arrgh!” and “Aye!” all around.

The miners plundered the jungle for its diamonds till it became a muddy waste.

The Serb teed up Steve Davis, who crossed low for Graziano Pellè to plunder his fifth league goal of the campaign.

The Hessian kept his choicest plunder in a sack that never left his person, for fear that his comrades would steal it.

Synonyms for plunder

Antonyms for plunder

Related Words

Word Forms

• plunders
• plundering
• plundered

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions