# looting

/ˈɫutɪŋ/ (US) · /lˈuːtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/looting
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. stealing during a crisis

noun · CEFR B2

the act of stealing from shops or houses during a time of chaos, like a riot or a war.

For teachers: the act of plundering or stealing goods during a crisis, typically when law enforcement is absent or overwhelmed.

- After the earthquake, the government sent in soldiers to stop the looting of local shops.
- Widespread looting broke out in the city centre as the police struggled to maintain order during the power outage.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun to describe the general activity.

### 2. stealing or plundering

verb · CEFR B2

the action of stealing things by force during a conflict or disaster.

For teachers: the present participle or gerund form of 'loot', describing the ongoing action of stealing property during a breakdown of order.

- The gang was caught looting a warehouse during the protests.
- By the time the military arrived, several groups were already looting the abandoned government buildings for supplies and equipment.

## Examples

- The police arrived quickly to stop the looting in the city center.
- After the hurricane destroyed the power grid, several stores reported incidents of looting as people took advantage of the darkness.
- Historians often distinguish between opportunistic looting by desperate civilians and the systematic state-sponsored looting of cultural artifacts during wartime occupations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.