Pillaged

To pillage means to rob a place, often during wartime or a period of unrest, by using violence and seizing property, valuables, or other items of value. It implies a complete disregard for property rights and often involves the destruction of buildings and infrastructure. The act is typically carried out by an invading army, a mob, or even organized criminals for personal gain, causing widespread chaos and suffering. This action is distinct from theft as it occurs on a larger, more destructive scale and often involves greater numbers of people involved.

Pillaged meaning with examples

• After the city fell, the victorious army pillaged the marketplace, taking gold, jewels, and other treasures. Homes were ransacked, and civilians were terrified, as the soldiers moved from house to house searching for anything of value. The level of devastation was extreme; few buildings were spared from the plunder.
• During the riot, opportunistic looters pillaged the shops along Main Street, carrying away electronics, clothing, and food. The local police were overwhelmed, and the city was plunged into a state of lawlessness for several hours while citizens hid in their homes from the looting.
• The Vikings, known for their raids, routinely pillaged coastal villages, seizing livestock, goods, and sometimes even taking people captive as slaves. They often burned the villages to the ground after they were finished gathering what they desired and returned to the sea with their bountiful plunder.
• In the aftermath of the natural disaster, desperate survivors pillaged abandoned stores for supplies, struggling to stay alive. The lack of basic services, like food and water, led to widespread looting and further hardship for those already affected by the natural catastrophe.