plunder -
Steal goods from (a place or person), typically using force and in a time of war or civil disorder
Seeing his chance, the pirate plundered as many gold coins as he could find on the wrecked ship.
noun
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hostage -
A person who is captured and held prisoner and is threatened with injury if a demand is not met
The revolutionaries said that the hostages would be released only after $20 million was deposited in their anonymous Bitcoin account.
noun
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showdown -
A final test or confrontation intended to settle a dispute
In the Wild West, a final showdown between the good guys and bad guys was how they settled their differences.
noun
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marauder -
A person who roams around seeking to attack or steal from others
During the revolution, the people were more afraid of marauders than the rebellious or government forces.
verb
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mutiny -
To refuse to obey orders, in an open revolt or uprising against leadership or control.
In 1789 the crew of the HMS Bounty decided to mutiny against their captain, partially because they wanted to stay in beautiful Tahiti.
verb
See noun
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ransom -
To release someone or something in exchange for a payment or other form of compensation.
The ancient artifacts were ransomed back to the museum after being stolen and held by black-market dealers.
verb
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invade -
To aggressively take over or occupy a place or country.
Of the 200 countries in the world, England did not invade 22 of them.
noun
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conspiracy -
An agreement between people to work together against someone or something, usually in secret, sometimes against the law.
Some people believe in wild conspiracy theories about world leaders and secret societies.
noun
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rebel -
A person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or ruler
In the late 1700s, rebels like George Washington fought against the tyrannical British in order to establish America.
noun
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treason -
The act of betraying one's country
Benedict Arnold was accused of treason during the American Revolutionary War because he plotted to surrender the fort at West Point to the British forces.
noun
See verb
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ransom -
A sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a someone held as a prisoner.
The family was able to raise the large sum of money that was demanded as ransom for their son.
verb
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quell -
To put an end to a rebellion or other disorder, typically by the use of force
The peasants' rebellion against the king was quelled as soon as his army massacred hundreds of them.
