pillaging

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pillaging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of plundering or taking goods by force. For example: "The village was pillaged by the marauding army."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So too with the so-called Black Prince, the eldest son of Edward III, whose tactics, in the wake of his victories at Crécy and Poitiers, of burning and pillaging also offended traditional codes of chivalry.

The Guardian

Noi said Britain had a duty to Commonwealth citizens such as Daodu after the years of "raping and pillaging and enslaving Commonwealth nations".

The Guardian

The third narrative follows a swordsman whose thoughts are set down in robust Scots dialect, who mainly thinks about stoving heads in, raping and pillaging, but whose life is made more complicated by a familiar who whispers complicated stratagems into his ear and craps down his back.

The Guardian - Books

When he wasn't pillaging his country, Mr Yanukovych undermined its courts, suborned its constitution and harassed its media, institutions that are as much a part of an enduring democracy as elections (see essay).

The Economist

Most of Congo's neighbours sent armies into the melée, and bands of tribal gangsters took part, murdering, raping and pillaging.

The Economist

People make an exception of Adnan Pachachi, an elder statesman and former foreign minister, but accuse other foreign-backed groups of pillaging their party headquarters.

The Economist

But there are handy phrases too for bumper stickers (Malim praedari, "I'd rather be pillaging") and invaded barbarians (Vos non victores, sed liberatores salutamus!, "We welcome you as liberators, not conquerors!").

The Economist

Pillaging the nation's cultural patrimony for private gain should obviously be discouraged.

The Economist

Small businesses like Gibson Guitar create jobs in part because customers trust them to use wood inlays that don't come from pillaging old-growth forests and driving lemurs extinct.

The Economist

They think this could mean that the Milky Way has been pillaging stars not just from Sgr, but from its other satellites.

The Economist

This was done by pillaging another huge website, Wikipedia, to find out how the names of objects tend to cluster together in the online encyclopedia's articles.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pillaging" to describe the act of seizing goods or resources by force, especially during wartime or raiding. Ensure the context clearly indicates the violent or forceful nature of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "pillaging" to describe simple theft or borrowing. The term implies a systematic and forceful taking of resources, often in a context of conflict or exploitation. For less aggressive scenarios, consider using words like "borrowing", "stealing", or "taking advantage of".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pillaging" is as a present participle, typically used in progressive verb forms (e.g., "they are pillaging") or as a gerund (e.g., "Pillaging is a crime"). Ludwig confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pillaging" is a present participle used to describe the forceful seizure of goods, often in contexts of war, conflict, or exploitation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically sound and frequently used across various domains, particularly in news and historical reporting. While synonyms like "plundering" and "looting" exist, "pillaging" carries a specific connotation of systematic and often violent acquisition. When using "pillaging", ensure the context aligns with its forceful and organized nature to avoid semantic errors. Therefore, based on this analysis, "pillaging" is a reliable and effective term for accurately describing instances of forceful resource acquisition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plundering

Focuses on the act of taking goods by force, similar to pillaging but can apply to non-military contexts.

looting

Implies stealing during a riot, war, or disaster, often involving disorganized and opportunistic acts.

ransacking

Emphasizes the thoroughness and destructiveness of the search and seizure.

despoiling

Highlights the act of stripping something of its value or beauty.

marauding

Suggests wandering around in search of plunder, often with violent intent.

depredation

A more formal term for plundering or laying waste to.

sacking

Refers specifically to the plundering of a captured town or city.

ravaging

Emphasizes the destructive impact of the plundering, suggesting widespread damage.

exploiting

Focuses on taking unfair advantage of resources or people for personal gain.

appropriating

Can imply taking something without permission, often in a cultural or artistic context.

FAQs

How is "pillaging" typically used in a sentence?

"Pillaging" is generally used as a verb (in its present participle form) to describe the act of plundering or looting. For example, "The invading army was accused of "pillaging" the countryside".

What words can I use instead of "pillaging"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "plundering", "looting", or "ransacking". Each carries slightly different connotations regarding the scale and nature of the act.

Is "pillaging" a formal or informal term?

"Pillaging" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it generally appears more frequently in historical or news-related discussions of conflict or exploitation. It is not typically used in casual conversation.

What is the difference between "pillaging" and "looting"?

While both terms refer to taking goods without permission, "pillaging" often implies a more organized and systematic act, frequently associated with military actions or invasions. "Looting", on the other hand, can refer to more opportunistic or chaotic theft, such as during riots or natural disasters.