SACK Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'sack' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sack are despoil , devastate , pillage , ravage , and waste . While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place. // barbarians sacked ancient Rome

Q: Where would 'despoil' be a reasonable alternative to 'sack'?

The synonyms despoil and sack are sometimes interchangeable, but despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction. // the Nazis despoiled the art museums

Q: When could 'devastate' be used to replace 'sack'?

The words devastate and sack can be used in similar contexts, but devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area. // an earthquake devastated the city

Q: How are the words 'pillage' and 'sack' related?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack . // settlements pillaged by Vikings

Q: When can 'ravage' be used instead of 'sack'?

While the synonyms ravage and sack are close in meaning, ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction. // a hurricane ravaged the coast

Q: When might 'waste' be a better fit than 'sack'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sack , waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action. // years of drought had wasted the area

sack 1 of 3

noun

Definition of sack next

as in bag

a container made of a flexible material (as paper or plastic) asked the bagger to put all the loaves of bread in the same sack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in bed

a place set aside for sleeping I think I'm ready to hit the sack

Synonyms & Similar Words

sack

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to dismiss

to let go from office, service, or employment he was sacked for showing up late once too often

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sack

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to plunder

to search through with the intent of committing robbery thieves sacked the house in search of the diamond necklace

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb sack contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sack are despoil, devastate, pillage, ravage, and waste. While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

Where would despoil be a reasonable alternative to sack?

The synonyms despoil and sack are sometimes interchangeable, but despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

When could devastate be used to replace sack?

The words devastate and sack can be used in similar contexts, but devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

How are the words pillage and sack related?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.

settlements pillaged by Vikings

When can ravage be used instead of sack?

While the synonyms ravage and sack are close in meaning, ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

When might waste be a better fit than sack?

While in some cases nearly identical to sack, waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sack. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Copy Citation

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

underwhelm

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Synonyms of sack

noun

verb (1)

verb (2)

Synonym Chooser

Thesaurus Entries Near sack

Cite this Entry