Plunder

Plunder, as a verb, signifies to steal goods violently from a place or person, typically in wartime or during a riot. It often involves seizing property through force, disregard for ownership, and a sense of opportunistic gain. As a noun, plunder refers to the act of taking goods in this way, or to the stolen goods themselves. This forceful taking differentiates it from other forms of theft, emphasizing the chaos and disregard for law associated with it. It suggests both destruction and acquisition, often leaving behind a trail of devastation and inequality.

Plunder meaning with examples

• The invading army planned to plunder the city, stripping it of its valuable resources and leaving its inhabitants destitute. Their primary objective wasn't conquest, but the acquisition of gold, jewels and resources. They left with riches.
• During the riot, opportunistic looters began to plunder the shops, taking electronics and other valuable items. The police were outnumbered and unable to stop them, thus the shops' owners were helpless.
• The pirates' main activity was to plunder passing merchant ships, taking their cargo and often harming or killing the crew. The 'Golden Age' of piracy was built on ships being plundered.
• After the earthquake, desperate people began to plunder abandoned houses and stores for food and supplies. The loss of infrastructure left them with no other option, so they had to plunder for supplies.
• The historian chronicled how the conquerors set out to plunder the conquered nation, seizing its art, its cultural artifacts, and its wealth. Every empire through history has looked to plunder others.