pillage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pillage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to looting or stealing, often in a historical or military context. Example: "The invading army began to pillage the village, taking everything of value."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The result is pillage.

The Guardian

Mr Kjos has the ambition and appetite for risk of a Viking hopping on a longboat and paddling off to pillage Northumberland.To escape high Nordic labour costs and taxes, NAS is increasingly basing planes and hiring people elsewhere: in Spanish resorts and at London's Gatwick airport.

The Economist

THE Congolese rebels made no apology for their murder, rape and pillage.

The Economist

At Jinja, not far from the capital, the HSMF was smashed by artillery fire, and Alice fled on a bicycle.The remnants of her soldiers mustered under Joseph Kony, an ex-altar boy who claimed to be her cousin metamorphosed into the horrifyingly violent Lord's Resistance Army, which continues to kill, rape, pillage and abduct children in today's Uganda.

The Economist

With smaller fiefs to pillage, few can now afford the $100,000 or more that it costs to wage a six-hour battle, so such battles are less common.

The Economist

Most of the money it helped channel to Sudan went to the army, which in turn used the cash to finance rape and pillage.

The Economist

Barely a year goes by without episodes of rape, pillage and even murder all the inevitable result of too much money colliding with too few brains.

The Economist

The cost of mismanagement, in lost economic output, is huge: some $50 billion a year, according to the World Bank.In this section Bombing Iran Such seething brains, such shaping fantasies How to stop fishermen fishing Clicks and bricks Don't lie to me, Argentina ReprintsOne reason why the pillage continues is that knowledge of fish stocks is poor, especially in developing countries.

The Economist

In 1927, as Chiang Kai-shek led his nationalist army north to subdue the warlords who had divided China, ordinary Chinese took advantage of mayhem in Nanjing, where Buck was then living, to pillage foreign property.

The Economist

Among the passengers killed on September 25th, when a Kenyan-registered aircraft, hired by gold dealers, crashed while flying from Uganda to eastern Congo, was the brother of Uganda's army chief of staff.Looting and pillage are a standard accompaniment to wars and Congo is a potential treasure trove.

The Economist

Without urgent action, the pessimistic scenario you paint may become inevitable.Kirsty Hughes Head of policy and advocacy Oxfam OxfordHuman footprintsSIR – You continue to misrepresent the Amazon rainforest as "virgin" ("Preventing pillage in the rainforest", February 28th).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pillage", ensure the context clearly indicates forceful taking or looting, often in a historical or conflict-related setting.

Common error

Avoid using "pillage" in contexts where simple theft or non-violent appropriation is involved. The term specifically implies violence or force.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pillage" is as both a verb, describing the act of looting or plundering, and a noun, referring to the spoils of such actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pillage" functions as both a verb and a noun, denoting the act of looting or plundering through force, and the spoils obtained from such actions. Predominantly found in News & Media, its usage effectively communicates acts of forceful acquisition, often in conflict-ridden environments. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, and while alternatives like "plunder" and "loot" exist, "pillage" carries a specific connotation of violence and destruction. The writing guidance emphasizes using "pillage" when forceful taking is clearly indicated, cautioning against its application in scenarios lacking violence. Overall, understanding the nuances of "pillage" ensures accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plunder

A direct synonym, referring to the act of stealing goods by force, especially during wartime.

loot

Similar to plunder, but often implies a more opportunistic or chaotic form of stealing.

plunder and despoil

Combination of similar terms, but often used to emphasize the extent and severity of the actions.

ransack

Focuses on the thoroughness of the search and the resulting disorder during the act of stealing.

despoil

Emphasizes the act of stripping something of its value or beauty through violence.

ravage

Highlights the destructive impact and widespread damage caused by the act.

exploit

Refers to the act of taking unfair advantage of something or someone for personal gain.

raid

Suggests a sudden and swift attack to seize goods or resources.

sack

Implies the violent capture and looting of a city or town.

strip bare

Emphasizes completely removing everything of value.

FAQs

How is "pillage" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "pillage" is used to describe the action of looting or plundering by force, often in times of war or conflict. For example, "The soldiers began to "pillage" the conquered city."

What words are similar to "pillage"?

Words with similar meanings include "plunder", "loot", "ransack", and "despoil". Each carries a slightly different connotation, but all refer to taking goods by force.

Is "pillage" only used in historical contexts?

While often used in historical contexts, "pillage" can also describe contemporary situations where forceful and widespread looting occurs, such as during riots or natural disasters.

What is the difference between "pillage" and "plunder"?

While "pillage" and "plunder" are often used interchangeably, "pillage" often emphasizes the violent and destructive nature of the looting, while "plunder" can refer more generally to the act of taking goods by force.