looted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of stealing goods, typically during a time of chaos or unrest, such as a riot or natural disaster. Example: "During the protests, several stores were looted, resulting in significant losses for the businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While looted artworks are meant to be returned to the heirs of their owners, there is only a non-binding "moral obligation" to return those pieces which were confiscated as "degenerate art" and then sold on.

The Guardian

The 800-mile border is now irrelevant, with Isis able to freely move looted military hardware between the two states and gather new backers.

The Guardian

Picassos, Matisses, Chagalls, Klees, Munchs – all of them believed to have been looted or confiscated by the Nazis: modernist masters hidden behind grey modernist concrete.

The Guardian

Most of the residents think the artworks should be returned to their rightful owners, though establishing who they are may take some time: many of the remaining records from galleries looted by the Nazis are sketchy and incomplete.

The Guardian

The owner of an electrical goods shop in Handsworth – one of the first businesses in the area to be looted – said he had heard rumours a day before the riot took place.

The Guardian

However, the shop was then looted during Monday's unrest, said the shop owner, who is Korean and speaks little English.

The Guardian

The next day it was looted, property vandalised and equipment taken.

The Guardian

Given that one painting in Gurlitt's possession, Henri Matisse's Sitting Woman, had already been proven to be looted from Rosenberg's collection, Marinello didn't expect it to end up in Bern, he told the Guardian.

The Guardian

Several works in the collection, which was originally assembled by Gurlitt's father Hildebrand, are suspected of having been looted from Jewish families during the Nazi era.

The Guardian

Some vandalised businesses, including a Mercedes Benz dealership, and looted stores.

The Guardian

He was later appointed dealer for the planned Führermuseum in Linz, where Hitler intended to display looted art, and was personally instructed by the minister of propaganda, Joseph Goebbels.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looted" when you want to emphasize the chaotic and often destructive nature of the theft, especially in situations like riots, wars, or natural disasters. For example, "The museum's artifacts were looted during the civil unrest."

Common error

Avoid using "looted" when a simple "stolen" or "robbed" suffices. "Looted" carries connotations of widespread disorder and lawlessness, so it's inappropriate for describing isolated incidents of theft.

Linguistic Context

The word "looted" functions primarily as a past participle of the verb loot. It is used to describe something that has been stolen, often in a violent or chaotic situation. Ludwig provides examples showing how "looted" modifies nouns to indicate the state of being stolen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looted" is the past participle of the verb "loot", signifying the act of stealing during chaotic situations. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, predominantly in news and media contexts. When using "looted", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the connotation of widespread disorder. Remember that simpler terms like "stolen" may be more appropriate for isolated incidents. Alternatives include "plundered", "ransacked", and "pillaged", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plundered

Refers to the forceful taking of goods, often in a war or raid, focusing on the violent and thorough nature of the act.

ransacked

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the search and the resulting disorder, implying a destructive search for valuables.

pillaged

Similar to plundered, but often used in the context of armies or groups systematically stripping a place of its valuables.

despoiled

Indicates the robbing of something of value, often with the connotation of ruining or defacing it.

robbed

A more general term for taking something illegally, without necessarily implying widespread or violent action.

burglarized

Specifically refers to the act of breaking into a building with the intent to steal.

stolen

A general term for taking something without permission, lacking the context of violence or chaos.

confiscated

Implies that the goods were taken by an authority, often legally or under the guise of legality.

appropriated

Suggests taking something for one's own use, sometimes without permission but not necessarily illegally.

seized

Indicates a sudden or forceful taking of something, often by an authority or military force.

FAQs

How does "looted" differ from "stolen"?

"Looted" implies theft during a time of widespread chaos, such as a riot or war. "Stolen" is a more general term for theft without these specific circumstances.

When is it appropriate to use "looted" in a sentence?

Use "looted" when describing the forceful or opportunistic taking of goods during a period of unrest, such as, "The shops were "ransacked" and "looted" during the riots".

What are some alternatives to using the word "looted"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "plundered", "ransacked", or "pillaged" to describe the act of stealing goods.

Can "looted" be used to describe the theft of abstract items, like ideas?

While primarily used for physical goods, "looted" can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe the blatant theft of intellectual property, although alternatives like "plagiarized" or "stolen" are more common.