What does plunder mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈplʌndər/

Part of Speech

Verb/Noun

Definition

To take or seize things, especially valuable or desirable things, especially in war; to take or seize something by force or violence; a thing taken or seized, especially something valuable or desirable.

Examples

The pirates plundered the ship, taking gold and jewels.
The country was plundered of its natural resources.

Synonyms

Raid
Pillage
Loot

Antonyms

Give
Donate
Leave

Etymology

The word “plunder” comes from the Old French “plunder”, which is derived from the Latin “plundere”, meaning “to pillage”.

Usage Notes

The verb “to plunder” typically refers to the act of taking or seizing something, often with force or violence. The noun “plunder” refers to the thing taken or seized, often referring to valuable or desirable items.

Cultural References

In popular culture, the term “plunder” is often used to refer to the act of taking or seizing something of value, such as in films like “Pirates of the Caribbean” or in literature like “The Count of Monte Cristo”.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Some common idiomatic expressions that include the word “plunder” include “plunder the sea for treasure” and “plunder the riches of the land”.

Related Words or Phrases

Words and phrases closely related to “plunder” include “raid”, “pillaging”, “loot”, and “booty”.

Collocations

Common collocations with the word “plunder” include “plunder the riches”, “plunder the sea”, and “plunder the land”.

Frequency of Use

The word “plunder” is often used in historical or literary contexts, but its frequency of use in modern language is relatively low.