What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
loot
Example
The looters took everything they could carry from the store. [looters: noun]
Example
The thieves looted the museum and stole several priceless artifacts. [looted: past tense verb]
plunder
Example
The invading army plundered the city and took all the riches. [plundered: past tense verb]
Example
The pirates plundered the ship and took all the valuable cargo. [plundering: present participle verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Loot is more commonly used than plunder in everyday language. Loot is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while plunder is less common and has a more specific historical and military connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between loot and plunder?
Plunder is more formal than loot and is typically used in more serious or academic contexts, such as historical or military discussions.
