Entry Word: ransack

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 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 despoil, loot, maraud, pillage, plunder, sack, strip

Related Words burglarize; comb, hunt, rake, rifle, rummage; harry, raid; ravish

2 to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something <Iʼve ransacked the whole house for that bracelet you lent me and itʼs not anywhere> — see search 1