plunder

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'plunder' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb or a noun to refer to the act of stealing from or taking pillage from an area, typically during times of war. Example sentence: During the Great War, enemy forces plundered the town, looting and pillaging it for weeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our economic elite keep the Conservatives afloat because they expect a return During the cold war the left was routinely accused of taking Moscow gold, but the Russian oligarchs who benefited from the post-Soviet plunder of public assets know a good deal when they see one.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gatiss recognises that Wells was writing an allegory of imperialism: Bedford seeks to colonise the moon and plunder it for its vast deposits of gold, while Cavor, a naive man of science, seeks only knowledge.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As long as the owner doesn't realise what's going on, car thieves then have potentially a field of open cars to plunder.

The Guardian - Tech

Other teams come in and they plunder it these days.

BBC

Sip cocktails among the beautiful people at Tretters (V Kolkovne 3), or plunder the impressive wine cellar at Monarch (Na Perstyne 15), before dinner at Nostress (Dusni 10), an elegant fusion restaurant.

The Guardian - Travel

Against this, the world of competitive plunder on which most computer and console games are based begins to look boring.

The Guardian - Opinion

The same account featured during Nadir's trial, during which it was said he had repeatedly used it to plunder the FTSE 100 firm's funds for his own ends in the late 1980s.

The Guardian - Business

Meanwhile, the temptation to plunder the treasure-trove remains.

The Guardian

Kinshasa is to seek legal redress from Rwanda as well even though the government in Kigali did not recognise the court A UN report in 2001 found that Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda intervened to secure their borders but later the plunder of resources became a reason to stay.

The Guardian

That helped them outplay Arsène Wenger's team and Anderlecht could have been more than one goal in front before a squad with an average age of 22 betrayed their inexperience and allowed Arsenal to plunder two goals in the last two minutes to escape with a scarcely deserved victory.

The Guardian - Sport

"No one thinks Tasmania should plunder its natural resources in the pursuit of short-term gains," said Colbeck.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plunder" when you want to convey a sense of forceful, often violent, taking of goods or resources, especially in contexts like war, historical events, or metaphorical situations involving exploitation. Consider the impact on the subject being plundered.

Common error

Avoid using "plunder" in contexts where the taking of goods isn't forceful or violent. Opt for words like "take", "use", or "access" if there's no element of aggression or unethical behavior.

Linguistic Context

The word "plunder" functions as both a verb, describing the act of forcefully taking goods, and a noun, referring to the goods taken. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate both usages, indicating its versatility in conveying actions and resulting objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plunder" is a versatile word that functions as both a verb and a noun, denoting the forceful taking of goods or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, especially in contexts related to news, business and politics. It carries strong connotations of violence and exploitation, frequently appearing in neutral to formal registers. While its meaning is clear, choosing synonyms like "loot", "pillage", or "ransack" can help fine-tune the specific shade of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loot

Focuses on the stolen goods themselves rather than the act of stealing.

pillage

Emphasizes the violent and destructive nature of the stealing.

ransack

Highlights the thoroughness of the search and seizure.

despoil

Suggests a more comprehensive stripping of value or resources.

exploit

Implies taking unfair advantage for personal gain.

depredate

Focuses on the destructive aspect of the act.

rob

A more general term for theft, without necessarily implying violence or widespread looting.

steal

A basic term for taking something without permission.

appropriate

To take something for one's own use, typically without permission.

raid

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

FAQs

How is "plunder" used in a sentence?

The word "plunder" can be used as a verb meaning to steal goods forcefully, or as a noun referring to the stolen goods themselves. For example: "The invaders plundered the city" (verb), or "The soldiers divided the plunder" (noun).

What can I say instead of "plunder"?

You can use alternatives like "loot", "pillage", or "ransack" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

"Plunder" often implies a large-scale, forceful taking of goods, typically during wartime or a similar chaotic situation. "Steal" is a more general term for taking something without permission. "Plunder" also focuses more on the violent taking of goods, not simply the taking of possession. Stealing is more generic act, while "rob" is focused on taking valuables directly from people.

Is it correct to say someone "plundered" an idea?

Yes, "plunder" can be used metaphorically to describe the act of taking someone's idea without permission or giving credit. However, it carries a strong negative connotation and should be used carefully. Other alternatives like "appropriate", "steal" or "borrow" could be more suitable depending on the context.