Synonyms of sack

sack 1 of 3

noun

ˈsak 

1

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

• bag
• pouch
• backpack
• package
• wallet
• poke
• purse
• packet
• bundle
• satchel
• pack
• carryall
• knapsack
• portmanteau
• rucksack
• tote
• haversack
• duffel bag
• traveling bag
• pocketbook
• handbag
• tote bag
• parcel
• shopping bag
• kit bag
• garment bag
• flight bag
• barracks bag
• ditty bag
• work bag

2

as in bed

a place set aside for sleeping

I think I'm ready to hit the sack

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bed
• couch
• bunk
• mattress
• sofa
• doss
• hay
• rack
• kip
• pad
• crib
• pallet
• lair
• bedstead
• hammock
• futon
• cot
• studio couch
• cradle
• sofa bed
• daybed
• water bed
• bunk bed
• trundle bed
• feather bed
• shakedown
• Murphy bed
• bassinet
• carry-cot
• sleigh bed
• four-poster

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

• dismiss
• remove
• fire
• retire
• release
• ax
• discharge
• can
• terminate
• pink-slip
• bounce
• turn off
• excess
• muster out
• cashier
• show (someone) the door
• send packing
• lay off
• trim
• downsize
• kick out
• furlough
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• unseat
• chuck (out)
• separate
• throw out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sign (up or on)
• employ
• hire
• retain
• engage
• keep
• take on
• contract
• recruit
• rehire
• reemploy
• subcontract

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

• plunder
• loot
• pillage
• raid
• despoil
• ransack
• maraud
• rifle
• steal (from)
• rake
• comb
• break in
• rummage
• hunt
• rip off
• harry
• burglarize
• ravish

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

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

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sack

Noun

Carroll had 36 tackles, tied for a team-high five sacks and an interception during his junior season at San Antonio Cornerstone Christian. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026

Hill joined the Arizona Cardinals midway through the 2022 season, recording five solo tackles and one sack in six games. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Verb

Mills, who hosted the popular Radio 2 Breakfast Show, was sacked by the BBC over the weekend. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026

He was sacked a league-leading 55 times and threw the most interceptions (17) while the Raiders finished tied for the worst record (3-14). —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing sack

• hit the sack