pillage vs. plunder

[thedaffodils]

Hi! What is the difference between "pillage" and "plunder"?

Works of art were pillaged from many countries in the dark days of the Empire

Are "pillage" and "plunder" interchangeable here?

Thanks!

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P. S. The definitions as below are quoted from the Cambridge Dictionary.

pillage verb [I or T] FORMAL
to steal something from a place or a person by using violence, especially during war:
Works of art were pillaged from many countries in the dark days of the Empire.

plunder verb
1 [I or T] to steal goods violently from a place, especially during a war:
After the president fled the country, the palace was plundered by soldiers.
Tragically, the graves were plundered and the grave-goods scattered.
2 [T] to steal or remove something precious from something, in an immoral or unnecessarily severe way:
Someone has been plundering funds from the company.
The future of our planet is in danger if we continue to plunder it as we do.

[Barb_D]

They seem the same to me. I've never used those words except when talking about pirates or other similar scenarios.

[thedaffodils]

They seem the same to me. I've never used those words except when talking about pirates or other similar scenarios.

Hi Barb_D,

Thank you for your answer.

[David L.]

'Plunder' refers to the roving of soldiers through recently conquered territory in search of money and goods.

'pillage' describes the act of stripping a conquered city or people of valuables.
"Their churches were pillaged by the ruthless invaders."

So little of it goes on in our lives today, the difference in meaning is scarcely relevant, and all but lost. Even domestic thieves, at most, ransack a house, not 'plunder and pillage'.

[thedaffodils]

Hi David L.,

Thank you very much for your elucidation. I think I am clear about them.