plunder

[ pluhn-der ]
/ ˈplʌn dər /

verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

to take plunder; pillage.

noun

Origin of plunder

First recorded in 1620–30, plunder is from the Dutch word plunderen

OTHER WORDS FROM plunder

Example sentences from the Web for plunder

British Dictionary definitions for plunder

plunder
/ (ˈplʌndə) /

verb

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

noun

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

Derived forms of plunder

plunderable, adjective plunderer, noun plunderous, adjective

Word Origin for plunder

C17: probably from Dutch plunderen (originally: to plunder household goods); compare Middle High German plunder bedding, household goods