verb Uncommon

plunder

PLUHN-duh

Plunder (verb) means to steal goods from a place by force, typically during war or unrest. Example: “Soldiers plundered the town before retreating.”

verb

To steal goods from a place by force, typically during war or unrest.

"Soldiers plundered the town before retreating."

"The invaders plundered temples and palaces alike."

To take something excessively or wrongfully, as if by looting.

"The executives were accused of plundering the pension fund."

noun

Goods stolen by force, or the act of taking them.

"The pirates divided up their plunder."

How to use plunder

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo steal by force, or (as a noun) the stolen loot itself.

Common pairings

plunder resources loot and plunder plunder a country's wealth

Word forms

plundered past tense, plunders singular

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Soldiers _____ the town before retreating.

Etymology

Borrowed from German "plündern" (to loot), recorded in English use from the era of the Thirty Years' War and the English Civil War.

Origin: German

Synonyms

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prize strip rifle sack spoil violate booty loot swag foray pillage ransack

Related words

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Rhymes for plunder

under sunder dunder thunder launder founder blunder asunder sounder rounder pounder flounder

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Frequently asked questions

What does “plunder” mean?

The word “plunder” means to steal goods from a place by force, typically during war or unrest. In plain terms, to steal by force, or (as a noun) the stolen loot itself.

How do you pronounce “plunder”?

“Plunder” is pronounced PLUHN-duh (/ˈplʌndɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “plunder” in a sentence?

Here is “plunder” used in a sentence: “Soldiers plundered the town before retreating.”

What part of speech is “plunder”?

Depending on how it is used, “plunder” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “plunder” come from?

The word “plunder” comes from German. Borrowed from German "plündern" (to loot), recorded in English use from the era of the Thirty Years' War and the English Civil War.

Is “plunder” a common word?

“Plunder” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “plunder” have?

“Plunder” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to steal goods from a place by force, typically during war or unrest.

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