pillaging

[/ˈpɪlɪdʒɪŋ/]
noun, verb (gerund/present participle)
saque, pilhagem, saqueamento
1. The act of robbing or plundering a place, especially during war or conflict, often violently and without regard for law
The invading army was pillaging the villages for supplies and valuables.
O exército invasor estava saqueando as aldeias em busca de suprimentos e objetos de valor.
2. To steal or take goods forcibly from a person or place
Pirates were pillaging merchant ships along the coast.
Os piratas estavam pilhando navios mercantes ao longo da costa.
3. Systematically taking or destroying resources from a community or environment
The corporation was accused of pillaging the forest for timber.
A corporação foi acusada de explorar a floresta para tirar madeira.
The term 'pillaging' is historically associated with medieval warfare and piracy but is also used in contemporary contexts to describe corporate exploitation of natural resources or looting during social unrest. In Brazilian Portuguese, it carries connotations of both historical violence and modern illegal activities.
NYC Slang
looting, hitting spots
Synonyms / Sinônimos
plunderinglootingraidingrobbingransackingdespoilingravaging
Antonyms / Antônimos
protectingpreservingrestoringrebuildingconserving

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
saque, pilhagem
Most common usage; refers to systematic robbery during conflict
Rio de Janeiro
saque
Often used in context of urban crime or looting during social unrest
São Paulo
pilhagem, saqueamento
Used in both historical and contemporary contexts
Portugal
pilhagem, rapina
More formal and historical usage; rapina is archaic/literary

Related Words

pillarplunderlootraiddesecrationconquestmaraudingdevastation

Related Idioms & Phrases

pillaging and plundering
to pillage one's resources
environmental pillaging
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