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Looter: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธ
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looter

 

[หˆluห.tษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

criminal activity

A looter is a person who steals goods from a place, typically during a war or riot.

Synonyms

pilferer, plunderer, raider.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
looter

This word is typically used to describe someone who steals items, especially during chaotic situations like natural disasters, protests, or wars. The term often carries a negative connotation, implying opportunistic theft.

  • During the earthquake, many looters took advantage of the chaos to steal from the abandoned stores.
  • The looter was caught on camera breaking into the electronics shop amid the riots.
plunderer

This word describes someone who takes valuables by force, typically in a violent and destructive manner. It is often used in historical or war contexts and implies large-scale theft and devastation.

  • The plunderers left the village in ruins, taking everything of value.
  • During the war, plunderers ransacked the conquered cities, looting treasures and destroying buildings.
raider

This term is used for someone who conducts a sudden attack or raid, often with the intent of stealing or causing damage. It can be used in modern contexts like law enforcement or historical battles.

  • The police arrested the bank raider after a dramatic chase.
  • Historic accounts describe Viking raiders attacking coastal settlements and taking goods.
pilferer

This term refers to someone who steals small items, often repeatedly, usually in situations where they have some level of access, like employees or visitors. The theft is often petty but systematic.

  • The office pilferer was eventually caught taking small amounts of cash from the petty cash box.
  • A pilferer might start by taking a pen, but soon they are stealing more valuable items.

Examples of usage

  • The looters ransacked the store during the chaos of the protest.
  • The looter was arrested by the police for stealing electronics from the store.
Context #2 | Noun

gaming

In video games, a looter is a player who collects items, weapons, or resources from defeated enemies or looting spots.

Synonyms

collector, gatherer, scavenger.

Examples of usage

  • The looter quickly grabbed all the valuable loot from the boss monster.
  • He is known as the best looter in the game for his ability to find rare items.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'looter' comes from the verb 'loot', which originates from the Hindi word 'lลซแนญ' meaning 'to plunder'.
  • The term began to be widely used in English during the colonial period as European powers expanded into India.

Historical Context

  • Looting often occurs in the wake of natural disasters or civil unrest, when law enforcement may be absent.
  • During the French Revolution, looting was rampant as revolutionaries overturned royal and aristocratic properties.

Cultural Impact

  • Looting has been depicted in various films and literature, often representing chaos and moral decline.
  • Notable events of looting include the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, where widespread theft was reported.

Psychology

  • Research shows that in chaotic situations, groups may feel a sense of shared purpose, which can lead to collective behaviors like looting.
  • The anonymity of a crowd can diminish personal responsibility, making individuals more likely to partake in looting.

Legal Aspects

  • Looting is a criminal offense in most countries and can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment.
  • During emergencies, laws may be temporarily altered to discourage looting, with police often on heightened alert.

Translations

Translations of the word "looter" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น saqueador

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฒเฅ‚เคŸเฅ‡เคฐเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Plรผnderer

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penjarah

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณั€ะฐะฑั–ะถะฝะธะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ plฤ…drownik

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็•ฅๅฅช่€… (ใ‚Šใ‚ƒใใ ใคใ—ใ‚ƒ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท pillard

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ saqueador

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yaฤŸmacฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•ฝํƒˆ์ž

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุณุงุฑู‚

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pleniฤ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ plieniteฤพ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆŽ ๅคบ่€…

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ plenilec

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ rรฆningi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะพะฝะฐัƒัˆั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒซแƒแƒ แƒชแƒ•แƒ”แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ quldur

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ saqueador

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,359, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.