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

Linebacker Bobby Wagner just had his best season in terms of tackles, sacks, and interceptions in three years, but his future has remained up in the air this offseason. —Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026

At least 33 bodies — including children and dismembered remains stuffed in sacks — were unearthed from a mass grave in western Kenya on Thursday, raising questions about whether the corpses were secretly moved from a hospital morgue. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026

Verb

The administration sacked Greg Bovino, the Customs and Border Protection official who had become the front man for aggressive enforcement. —David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026

John McGahern was sacked from his teaching job when his novel The Dark was banned by the Irish censorship board. —Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing sack

• hit the sack