plunder

/ˈplən-dər/

German plündern

verb

  1. to take the goods of by force (as in war) : pillage, sack

  2. to take by force or wrongfully : steal, loot

  3. to make extensive use of as if by plundering : use or use up wrongfully

invaders plundered the town

plundered artifacts from the tomb

noun

  1. an act of plundering : pillaging

  2. something taken by force, theft, or fraud : loot

  3. personal or household effects

spoil plunder booty prize loot mean something taken from another by force or craft. spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest. plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.