Loot vs. Plunder — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 18, 2024
"Loot" refers to goods taken by force or theft, typically in chaotic circumstances, while "plunder" specifically involves taking goods forcibly as part of war or widespread violence.
Difference Between Loot and Plunder
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Loot" is a term often used to describe goods stolen during incidents like riots, thefts, or disasters, where law and order are temporarily ineffective. On the other hand, "plunder" involves taking valuables by force, generally during armed conflict or war, and often on a larger scale.
While looting can occur on an individual or small-group basis and doesn't necessarily imply violence, plundering is typically a systematic action conducted by larger groups, often soldiers or organized fighters, and is inherently violent.
"Loot" also serves as a verb, meaning to rob or take goods by force, similar to "plunder." However, "plunder" more strongly conveys the context of war and destruction, suggesting a thorough pillaging as part of conquest.
In historical contexts, "loot" has been used to describe the spoils taken by individuals in various chaotic situations, not strictly limited to warfare. In contrast, "plunder" historically refers to the deliberate looting and destruction associated with military actions, often sanctioned by leaders or states.
Legal implications differ between the two: looting is often dealt with under civil law relating to theft or burglary, whereas plundering, especially in wartime, can be prosecuted under international law, reflecting its severity and organized nature.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Goods stolen during chaos or crisis
Goods taken forcibly in war
Scale
Can be individual or small scale
Often large-scale and organized
Association
Riots, disasters
War, military conquest
Violence
Not necessarily violent
Inherently violent
Legal Context
Civil law (theft, burglary)
International law (war crimes)
Compare with Definitions
Loot
To steal goods in chaotic situations.
People began to loot stores during the blackout.
Plunder
To rob goods by force, especially in war.
The army was known to plunder villages along their route.
Loot
Goods stolen during lawlessness.
The rioters took jewelry and electronics as loot.
Plunder
Spoils taken as part of war.
The plunder from the conquered city filled the treasury.
Loot
Spoils taken informally.
Loot from the shipwreck washed up on the shore.
Plunder
Pillage during military campaigns.
Historical accounts describe the brutal plunder of the region.
Loot
Acquire goods by theft.
The gang looted several homes during the outage.
Plunder
Systematic robbery under armed conflict.
Plundering during the invasion resulted in significant cultural loss.
Loot
Items grabbed opportunistically.
Loot scattered across the mall included high-end gadgets.
Plunder
Looting with violent connotations.
Plunder included not just valuables but also essential supplies.
Loot
Private property taken from an enemy in war
The rooms were stuffed with the loot from Francis's expeditions into Italy
Plunder
To rob of goods by force, especially in time of war; pillage
Plunder a village.
Loot
Steal goods from (a place), typically during a war or riot
Police confronted the protestors who were looting shops
Plunder
To seize wrongfully or by force; steal
Plundered the supplies.
Loot
Valuables pillaged in time of war; spoils.
Plunder
To take booty; rob.
Loot
Stolen goods or money.
Plunder
The act or practice of plundering.
Loot
(Informal) Things of value, such as gifts, received.
Plunder
Property stolen by fraud or force; booty.
Loot
(Slang) Money.
Plunder
(transitive) To pillage, take or destroy all the goods of, by force (as in war); to raid, sack.
The mercenaries plundered the small town.
The shopkeeper was plundered of his possessions by the burglar.
Loot
To take goods from (a place) by force or without right, especially in time of war or lawlessness; plunder
The rebels looted the city. Rioters looted the downtown stores.
Plunder
(transitive) To take (goods) by pillage.
The mercenaries plundered all the goods they found.
Loot
To take by force or without right; steal
Broke into the tomb and looted the grave goods.
Plunder
(intransitive) To take by force or wrongfully; to commit robbery or looting, to raid.
“Now to plunder, mateys!” screamed a buccaneer, to cries of “Arrgh!” and “Aye!” all around.
Loot
To take goods by force or through lawless behavior.
Plunder
(transitive) To make extensive (over)use of, as if by plundering; to use or use up wrongfully.
The miners plundered the jungle for its diamonds till it became a muddy waste.
Loot
A scoop used to remove scum from brine pans in saltworks.
Plunder
(transitive) To take unexpectedly.
Loot
Synonym of booty, goods seized from an enemy by violence, particularly (historical) during the sacking of a town in war or (video games) after successful combat.
The loot from the sack of Constantinople included the head of John the Baptist.
Plunder
An instance of plundering.
Loot
Synonym of sack, the plundering of a city, particularly during war.
He consented to the loot of the city by the men under his command.
Plunder
The loot attained by plundering.
The Hessian kept his choicest plunder in a sack that never left his person, for fear that his comrades would steal it.
Loot
Any valuable thing received for free, especially Christmas presents.
Plunder
Baggage; luggage.
Loot
(slang) money.
Plunder
To take the goods of by force, or without right; to pillage; to spoil; to sack; to strip; to rob; as, to plunder travelers.
Nebuchadnezzar plunders the temple of God.
Loot
Clipping of lieutenant
Plunder
To take by pillage; to appropriate forcibly; as, the enemy plundered all the goods they found.
Loot
(transitive) plunder, to seize by violence particularly during the capture of a city during war or (video games) after successful combat.
We looted the temple and the orphanage, which turned most of the NPCs against us.
Plunder
The act of plundering or pillaging; robbery. See Syn. of Pillage.
Inroads and plunders of the Saracens.
Loot
Synonym of rob, to steal something from someone by violence or threat of violence.
Plunder
That which is taken by open force from an enemy; pillage; spoil; booty; also, that which is taken by theft or fraud.
Loot
The act of plundering.
Plunder
Personal property and effects; baggage or luggage.
Loot
Plunder; booty; especially, the booty taken in a conquered or sacked city.
Plunder
Goods or money obtained illegally
Loot
Anything stolen or obtained by dishonesty.
Plunder
Take illegally; of intellectual property;
This writer plundered from famous authors
Loot
Valuable objects; as, the child was delighted with all the loot he got for his birthday.
Plunder
Plunder (a town) after capture;
The barbarians sacked Rome
Loot
Money; as, you shouldn't carry all that loot around with you in the city; she made a pile of loot from trading in cattle futures.
Plunder
Steal goods; take as spoils;
During the earthquake people looted the stores that were deserted by their owners
Loot
To plunder; to carry off as plunder or a prize lawfully obtained by war.
Looting parties . . . ransacking the houses.
Plunder
Destroy and strip of its possession;
The soldiers raped the beautiful country
Loot
Goods or money obtained illegally
Loot
Informal terms for money
Loot
Take illegally; of intellectual property;
This writer plundered from famous authors
Loot
Steal goods; take as spoils;
During the earthquake people looted the stores that were deserted by their owners
Common Curiosities
Can the terms loot and plunder be used interchangeably?
While they can overlap in meaning, their usage depends on the context, with "plunder" implying a connection to war and greater violence.
What is the main difference between loot and plunder?
The main difference lies in context: "loot" is associated with theft under chaotic conditions often not related to war, while "plunder" specifically refers to the forcible taking of goods during war or violent conflict.
What are the legal repercussions for looting versus plundering?
Looting is typically handled under civil laws regarding theft, whereas plundering can be prosecuted under international laws concerning war crimes.
How do museums handle artifacts that are considered plunder?
Museums may face legal and ethical challenges, often returning artifacts that are proven to have been plundered, especially those taken during colonial times or war.
Is violence inherent in both looting and plundering?
Violence is more inherent and systematic in plundering due to its association with military actions, whereas looting can occur with or without violence.
Does looting always involve physical goods?
Primarily, yes, looting involves taking physical goods, but it can also include the unauthorized exploitation of natural resources during chaos.
Can individuals be charged with plunder, or is it only a charge for groups?
While typically associated with groups, particularly military forces, individuals can also be charged with plunder if they participate in such activities during conflicts.
How does the historical usage of these terms differ?
Historically, "loot" has been used more broadly for any stolen goods in times of disorder, while "plunder" has been reserved for large-scale theft during conflicts.
What types of situations typically lead to looting?
Looting often occurs during natural disasters, blackouts, or riots when law enforcement is overwhelmed or absent.
How do governments typically respond to looting during emergencies?
Governments may impose curfews, deploy national guard or military forces, and enact stricter laws temporarily to control looting.
Are there historical examples where the distinction between loot and plunder was important?
Historical examples include the sacking of cities during the Roman Empire, where plunder was officially sanctioned, compared to spontaneous looting during civil unrest.
What role does international law play in preventing plunder?
International laws, such as those established by the Geneva Conventions, explicitly prohibit plunder during wartime and provide guidelines for prosecuting offenders.
What are some preventive measures for looting?
Preventive measures include increased security, community policing, and rapid response plans to maintain order during crises.
What psychological factors contribute to looting?
Psychological factors include opportunism, anonymity in crowds, societal breakdown, and sometimes desperation or perceived necessity.
How is the term "plunder" used in economic contexts?
In economic terms, "plunder" can describe the exploitative extraction of resources by companies or countries, often from weaker states or in corrupt circumstances.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Section vs. Division
Next Comparison
Pelican vs. SwanAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
