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
1
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."
2
To take something excessively or wrongfully, as if by looting.
"The executives were accused of plundering the pension fund."
noun
1
Goods stolen by force, or the act of taking them.
"The pirates divided up their plunder."
How to use plunder
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- plunders
- Past tense
- plundered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Related words
Rhymes for plunder
See all rhymes for plunder →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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