plunder

To attack a place and steal or destroy the things there.

• The soldiers plundered the village.
• Raiders had plundered every house along the coast.
• The army threatened to plunder the town.

Similar words: loot, pillage, sack

Common phrases: plunder a village, plunder the town

To steal things, often using force or during an attack.

• The pirates plundered gold from the ship.
• Thieves had plundered the family’s valuable paintings.
• They returned at night to plunder more supplies.

How to use it: plunder something from someone/something (The invaders plundered jewels from the palace.)

Similar words: steal, loot, rob

Common phrases: plunder treasure, plunder something from someone

To use up a place’s resources carelessly or unfairly, leaving damage behind.

• Companies plundered the forest for timber.
• They plunder the region’s resources without helping local people.
• Mining firms have plundered these mountains for decades.

How to use it: plunder something for something (The company plundered the hills for minerals.)

Similar words: exploit, strip

Common phrases: plunder natural resources, plunder the forest

The act of stealing things from a place, often during war or an attack.

• The town suffered plunder during the war.
• Reports described the plunder of several villages.
• The army’s retreat was followed by widespread plunder.

Similar words: looting, pillage

Common phrases: plunder of something, violent plunder, widespread plunder