looting

plural lootings

1. The act of stealing during a crisis such as a war, riot or natural disaster, when law enforcement is ineffective or absent.

   Near-synonym: plundering

   1 more example

   During the looting, the mob stole everything they could and then set fire to the buildings.

   Synonyms: plundering

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of loot

   While looting the stores the looters took the opportunity for revenge by destroying what they didn't steal.