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plunder

2 syllables

Quick answer

As a verb, plunder means pillage, take or destroy all the goods of, by force (as in war). As a noun, it means an instance of plundering.

Meanings of plunder

12 meanings

To pillage, take or destroy all the goods of, by force (as in war); to raid, sack.
“The mercenaries plundered the small town.”
“The shopkeeper was plundered of his possessions by the burglar.”
To take (goods) by pillage.
“The mercenaries plundered all the goods they found.”
To take by force or wrongfully; to commit robbery or looting, to raid.
““Now to plunder, mateys!” screamed a buccaneer, to cries of “Arrgh!” and “Aye!” all around.”
To make extensive (over)use of, as if by plundering; to use or use up wrongfully.
“The miners plundered the jungle for its diamonds till it became a muddy waste.”
To take unexpectedly.
Take illegally; of intellectual property
“This writer plundered from famous authors”
Similar: loot
Plunder (a town) after capture
“the barbarians sacked Rome”
Similar: sack
Destroy and strip of its possession
“The soldiers raped the beautiful country”
Similar: rape, spoil, despoil, violate

An instance of plundering.
The loot attained by plundering.
“The Hessian kept his choicest plunder in a sack that never left his person, for fear that his comrades would steal it.”
Goods or money obtained illegally
Similar: loot, booty, pillage, prize, swag, dirty money

Older and rare meanings (1)