looting
UK: ˈluːtɪŋ | US: ˈluːtɪŋ
n. The act of stealing goods, typically during a war, riot, or other chaotic situation.
vt. The present participle of "loot," meaning to steal goods violently or unlawfully.
loot<plunder> + ing<noun/verb suffix>
- loot: Derived from Hindi "lūṭ" (लूट), meaning "plunder" or "spoils," originally from Sanskrit "luṇṭhati" (he steals).
- ing: A suffix forming present participles or gerunds, indicating an action or process.
Etymology Origin:
The word "looting" traces back to colonial India, where British soldiers adopted the Hindi term "lūṭ" to describe the plundering of valuables. Over time, "loot" entered English as both a noun (stolen goods) and a verb (to steal). The suffix "-ing" transforms it into a noun describing the act or a verb form (e.g., "they are looting"). The word retains its association with chaotic or violent theft.
During the riot, stores were damaged, and looting broke out in the city center.
The soldiers were accused of looting artifacts from the ancient temple.
The government imposed a curfew to prevent further looting.
Videos of the looting spread quickly on social media.
After the hurricane, some people resorted to looting abandoned homes.