1
as in to plunder
to search through with the intent of committing robbery
it was clear that the thieves who had ransacked the museum were professionals—they bypassed most of the exhibits and went straight for the vaults
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to search
to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something
I've ransacked the whole house for that book you lent me and it's nowhere to be found
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ransack
After the murder, Baker and Austin ransacked the couple’s bedroom and took the DVR from the garage where the home security footage was stored.
—
Christine Pelisek, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
At the time, Napoleon was ransacking the world, and in Hunt’s eyes, the prince wasn’t a reliable leader who could stand against the French army.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025
They’ve been accused of raiding crops, ransacking trash cans and boldly breaking into homes to steal food out of the refrigerator.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025
Also, the closure of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince and the ransacking and burning down of one of the last critical-care hospitals, Bernard Mevs, has forced the mission to go down to a skeleton staff.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ransack
Christine Pelisek, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
At the time, Napoleon was ransacking the world, and in Hunt’s eyes, the prince wasn’t a reliable leader who could stand against the French army.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025
They’ve been accused of raiding crops, ransacking trash cans and boldly breaking into homes to steal food out of the refrigerator.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025
Also, the closure of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince and the ransacking and burning down of one of the last critical-care hospitals, Bernard Mevs, has forced the mission to go down to a skeleton staff.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ransack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransack
Verb
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There is something perverse about a civilization that plunders its archives to build statues.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
15 Apr. 2025
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For decades, the terrorist group has plundered Gaza and sacrificed its people in pursuit of an unending messianic war to eliminate the Jewish state.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This reflects a broader shift in digital media where once distinct channels—programmatic for reach, search for intent and retail media for conversion—now overlap in function.—
Dani Nadel,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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The couple searched for someone who could offer something more.—
David Armstrong,
ProPublica,
8 May 2025
Verb
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On Sunday, the editorial staff of Télé Pluriel in the Delmas 19 neighborhood, said heavily armed gang members had broken through the station’s main barrier sometime during the night and set fire to its premises while also pillaging their offices.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2025
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Uh uh, method dressing is forever, at least for Timothée Chalamet—until the next role-of-a-lifetime comes along, or the parcels of Bob Dylan ephemera pillaged from the online auction houses stop coming through the young actor’s door that is.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Authorities said his car was found at the Mount Adams trailhead, while his remains were found on the Allen Mountain Trail.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Did Elmo get sacked as a result of President Trump’s attempts to defund public media?—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
8 May 2025
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The seven-time Super Bowl champion was sacked 565 times in 335 games as quarterback, which is good for a 4.48 sack percentage.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Starring Jon Hamm, the drama follows a suburban executive who, facing financial collapse, turns to looting the homes of his affluent social circle.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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Israel has long maintained that humanitarian aid has been looted by Hamas.—
Guy Davies,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Anderson prefers to characterize Loewe as a cultural brand rather than a luxury one, finding the latter term despoiled.—
Rebecca Mead,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
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Growth in Africa must be clean, both in terms of generating energy and not despoiling the continent’s landscape and natural resources.—
Jack A. Goldstone,
Foreign Affairs,
18 May 2023
Verb
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Authorities outfitted two of the cubs with tracking collars after the bears started wandering into the town of Jackson to raid garbage cans, compost bins and bird feeders for food.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 May 2025
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Massachusetts Avenue eatery Millie’s was also reportedly raided Tuesday morning, with officers wielding a search warrant signed by an ICE agent — not a judge.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ransack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransack. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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