verb

plunder

PLUHN-duh

verb

To steal goods from a place by force, typically during war or unrest.

"Soldiers plundered the town before retreating."

"The invaders plundered temples and palaces alike."

To take something excessively or wrongfully, as if by looting.

"The executives were accused of plundering the pension fund."

noun

Goods stolen by force, or the act of taking them.

"The pirates divided up their plunder."

How to Use Plunder

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo steal by force, or (as a noun) the stolen loot itself.

Common pairings

plunder resources loot and plunder plunder a country's wealth

plundered past tense, plunders singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Soldiers _____ the town before retreating.

Borrowed from German "plündern" (to loot), recorded in English use from the era of the Thirty Years' War and the English Civil War.

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