as in robbery
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as in plundering
to search through with the intent of committing robbery
the bandits looted the archaeological dig before riding off into the night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of looting
Max Saltman, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Spiegelman uses the term micro-looting, dressing up petty theft in political pretensions.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
On the streets of Saigon, there was widespread looting.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Greece, home to an extensive repository of cultural artifacts, has long contended with the proliferation of counterfeits and the looting of archaeological sites.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
But for many, the payment process associated with the War Damages Law dragged on into the 1960s, underlining the long-term economic impact of wartime looting.
—Shannon Fogg, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
The Canadiens forfeit the game to the Detroit after a smoke bomb goes off in the Forum and crowds spill into the streets, setting fires, smashing windows and looting.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Christophe Garnier, the leader of Doctors Without Borders in South Sudan said the organization had to evacuate its staff from Akobo on Saturday and learned of the subsequent looting of its hospital and the ransacking of its office.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
The Nyala Museum was robbed of its antiquities and destroyed, followed by the looting and destruction of the Al-Geneina Museum and the destruction of the Sultan Ali Dinar Museum building in El Fasher.
—Eissa Dafallah, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Richard Schmeelk died at age 97 in May 2022 — but Corona kept on looting his widow’s accounts, according to court records.
—Kamaron McNair,dan Mangan, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
The trio stripped down and left little to the imagination in their lingerie, raided the liquor cabinet, soaked in a bubble bath, stole a Grammy and cannonballed into a pool — all while looting the house for cash and jewels.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
In the Midway, the United Village campus around Allianz Field is in the process of adding its first commercial buildings, six years after riots and looting shuttered the last remaining stores in the former Midway Shopping Center and seven years after the soccer stadium held its first match.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
His case grew out of a broader Miami indictment filed in 2018 that charged eight associates with looting PDVSA, including senior executives and lawyers.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
In most academic histories of European imperialism written in this century, the Europeans are the barbarians, killing and raping and looting on an unprecedented scale.
—David A. Bell, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Fearing damage, Kuchumov’s team covered the Amber Room in wallpaper to hide it from looting soldiers while packing and removing furniture and other decorations from the room.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026
Kathy Ireland, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model who later made the cover of Forbes as a branding mogul, has accused her former business managers of looting millions of dollars from her and leaving her deeply in debt.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
The looting report in Haaretz follows several other misconduct complaints against Israeli soldiers in Lebanon.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Spiegelman uses the term micro-looting, dressing up petty theft in political pretensions.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
On the streets of Saigon, there was widespread looting.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Greece, home to an extensive repository of cultural artifacts, has long contended with the proliferation of counterfeits and the looting of archaeological sites.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
But for many, the payment process associated with the War Damages Law dragged on into the 1960s, underlining the long-term economic impact of wartime looting.
—Shannon Fogg, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
The Canadiens forfeit the game to the Detroit after a smoke bomb goes off in the Forum and crowds spill into the streets, setting fires, smashing windows and looting.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Christophe Garnier, the leader of Doctors Without Borders in South Sudan said the organization had to evacuate its staff from Akobo on Saturday and learned of the subsequent looting of its hospital and the ransacking of its office.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
The Nyala Museum was robbed of its antiquities and destroyed, followed by the looting and destruction of the Al-Geneina Museum and the destruction of the Sultan Ali Dinar Museum building in El Fasher.
—Eissa Dafallah, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
As with Osterweil, who argued that white supremacy can render even violent looting a legitimate act, Piker and Tolentino suggest that certain crimes become not just morally justifiable but even admirable when coupled with a claim against structural injustice.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Richard Schmeelk died at age 97 in May 2022 — but Corona kept on looting his widow’s accounts, according to court records.
—Kamaron McNair,dan Mangan, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
The trio stripped down and left little to the imagination in their lingerie, raided the liquor cabinet, soaked in a bubble bath, stole a Grammy and cannonballed into a pool — all while looting the house for cash and jewels.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
In the Midway, the United Village campus around Allianz Field is in the process of adding its first commercial buildings, six years after riots and looting shuttered the last remaining stores in the former Midway Shopping Center and seven years after the soccer stadium held its first match.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
His case grew out of a broader Miami indictment filed in 2018 that charged eight associates with looting PDVSA, including senior executives and lawyers.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
In most academic histories of European imperialism written in this century, the Europeans are the barbarians, killing and raping and looting on an unprecedented scale.
—David A. Bell, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Fearing damage, Kuchumov’s team covered the Amber Room in wallpaper to hide it from looting soldiers while packing and removing furniture and other decorations from the room.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026
Kathy Ireland, the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model who later made the cover of Forbes as a branding mogul, has accused her former business managers of looting millions of dollars from her and leaving her deeply in debt.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for looting
Noun
-
The defendants have each been indicted on conspiracy to commit robbery and kidnapping.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The pair, both dressed in orange jail attire, admitted to second-degree murder and a slew of other offenses, including robbery, kidnapping and burglary.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kyiv has long accused Russia of plundering these regions' resources.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But the sea lies in a region of the Golden State where there are already numerous environmental concerns, and some residents worry that plundering for lithium could exacerbate the problem.—
Justin Klawans,
TheWeek,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Amid the pillaging of homes, Roman magistrates were likely sent to the city to prevent an anarchic type of existence, based on ancient literary sources the authors referenced in the study.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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In fact, researchers know that pirates – basically just thieves on the water – targeted these river boats, because Egyptian pharaohs left records grumbling about pirates and their widespread pillaging.—
Brandon Prins,
The Conversation,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Fashion lovers will likely find satisfaction raiding the closets of OG characters Charlotte York-Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis) and Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), along with newcomers Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury) and Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker).—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Fuqua even shot scenes of the FBI raiding Neverland.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Federal prosecutors charged Castillo with depredation of government property.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Colorado’s wolf depredation compensation program is the broadest in the country, Sedgeley said.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If Chelsea thought their recent run of losses had been painful enough, Sunday could present a new nadir if Leeds United highlight how sacking Rosenior won’t fix anything by itself.—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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John Franklin-Myers, who loved talking, sacking and eating Uncrustables, left as a free agent to the Titans.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Article continues below Unfortunately, a passing asteroid deposits a killer alien robot in their midst, and the soldiers must fend for themselves as this marauding mech stalks them with guns and lasers blazing.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
10 Mar. 2026
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Rutter, the club’s record £40m buy from Leeds United, was an instant hit last season with insatiable work rate and marauding runs until an ankle injury ruled him out from March for the rest of the campaign.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Many Indians and students of colonialism see it as a symbol of the British Empire and the domination and plunder of imperialism.—
Emma Caughlan,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Critics contend the industry plunders distressed companies, leading to downsizing and cost-cutting that hurts local communities, though other research has pushed back on that reputation.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Looting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/looting. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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