These words refer to money, land or goods seized by war, violence or fraud. Loot in its oldest sense referred to goods seized specifically in war, especially goods of great value. More recently, it would better suggest money or goods acquired by theft: jewel thieves dividing their loot . Most recently, it has come to be used specifically for goods seized by rioters, roving singly or in bands: estimates of the loot taken in three days of rioting. In this sense, it distinguishes goods seized in this manner from ordinary stolen goods. In slang use, loot can refer simply to money, regardless of how acquired: how much loot have you got on you: By contrast, swag and haul are slang words for goods acquired by theft, although haul can also apply to the profits from any venture, legal or illegal: counting up his haul from the dry-cleaning agency.

Spoils , like loot , once referred to goods seized in war, although it could refer as well to land so acquired. Occasionally it is used in the singular. Its most common meaning now is money or advantages acquired through corrupt or fraudulent practices: Financiers involved in a mining swindle fell out over the division of the spoils. Unlike spoils and loot , booty has not acquired latter-day uses and still refers specifically only to goods seized in war; in international law, it specifically applies to goods seized on land rather than at sea. It is sometimes used figuratively for any acquisition, especially one taken by violence or robbery.