Looted: meaning, definitions and examples
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looted
[ luːtɪd ]
criminal activity
Looted refers to the act of stealing or taking valuable items, typically during a time of chaos or disorder like a war or disaster. It involves the theft of goods, often from shops, homes, or businesses, and is usually associated with civil unrest or disaster situations. The term highlights the opportunistic aspect of theft, where individuals exploit an uncontrolled environment to gain items unlawfully. Looting can have severe consequences for affected communities, leading to further instability and loss of property.
Synonyms
pillaged, plundered, ransacked, sacked.
Examples of usage
- During the riots, several stores were looted.
- After the earthquake, many homes were looted.
- The museum was looted in the middle of the night.
- Looters took advantage of the chaos to steal valuable items.
Translations
Translations of the word "looted" in other languages:
🇵🇹 saqueado
🇮🇳 लूट लिया गया
🇩🇪 gepachtet
🇮🇩 dirampok
🇺🇦 пограбований
🇵🇱 złupiony
🇯🇵 略奪された
🇫🇷 pillé
🇪🇸 saqueado
🇹🇷 yağmalandı
🇰🇷 약탈당한
🇸🇦 مُنهَب
🇨🇿 vyloupený
🇸🇰 vykradnutý
🇨🇳 被掠夺的
🇸🇮 opljačkan
🇮🇸 rændur
🇰🇿 ұрланған
🇬🇪 გატაცებული
🇦🇿 yağmalanmış
🇲🇽 saqueado
Etymology
The term 'loot' originates from the Hindi word 'lut', meaning 'to steal'. It was brought into the English language during the British colonial era, around the mid-19th century, when British soldiers and civil servants encountered the practice of pillaging in India. Initially, 'loot' referred specifically to goods that were stolen during war or conflict, especially in the context of colonialism where soldiers would take items from the local population. Over time, the meaning expanded to encompass any acts of theft that occur in situations of disorder or turmoil, such as riots or natural disasters. The word has since become common in English-speaking contexts when describing instances of theft during civil unrest.