plundered

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

plun•der /ˈplʌndɚ/   v. 

1. to rob (someone) of valuables by force, as in war: [~ + object]
   to plunder a town.
   [no object]
   The Vikings raided and plundered all along this coast.
2. to rob or steal by means of cheating:
   [~ + object] to plunder the public treasury.

n. [uncountable]

3. that which is taken in plundering;
   loot.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

plun•der  (plun′dər), v.t. 

1. to rob of goods or valuables by open force, as in war, hostile raids, brigandage, etc.:
   to plunder a town.
2. to rob, despoil, or fleece:
   to plunder the public treasury.
3. to take wrongfully, as by pillage, robbery, or fraud:
   to plunder a piece of property.

v.i. 

4. to take plunder;
   pillage.

n. 

5. plundering, pillage, or spoliation.
6. that which is taken in plundering;
   loot.
7. anything taken by robbery, theft, or fraud.

• Dutch plunderen
• 1620–30

plun′der•a•ble, adj. 
plun′der•er, n. 
plun′der•ing•ly, adv. 
plun′der•ous, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. rape, ravage, sack, devastate.
• 5. rapine, robbery.
• 6. booty, spoils.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

plunder / ˈplʌndə/ verb

1. to steal (valuables, goods, sacred items, etc) from (a town, church, etc) by force, esp in time of war; loot
2. (transitive) to rob or steal (choice or desirable things) from (a place): to plunder an orchard

noun

1. anything taken by plundering or theft; booty
2. the act of plundering; pillage

Etymology: 17th Century: probably from Dutch plunderen (originally: to plunder household goods); compare Middle High German plunder bedding, household goods

ˈplunderer noun