Synonyms of ransack

ransack

verb

ˈran-ˌsak 

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

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

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

• search
• find
• scour
• scan
• locate
• explore
• comb
• investigate
• examine
• rummage
• rake
• inspect
• rifle
• survey
• dredge
• dig (through)
• hunt (through)
• discover
• sort (through)
• troll
• scrutinize
• ascertain
• determine
• detect
• review
• learn
• check (out)
• find out
• audit
• track (down)
• peruse
• hit (on or upon)
• run down
• poke (around)
• browse
• shake down
• get
• probe
• frisk
• snoop
• study
• pat down
• look over
• prospect
• glance (over)
• descry
• ferret (out)
• scare up
• grub (about)
• skirmish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hide
• lose
• abandon
• ignore
• neglect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ransack

After the Battle of the Alamo, the Mexican army ransacked the site and salvaged all the leftover artillery for future military use, ridding the battleground of most of its weaponry. — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

Officer Sean Lally told the court on Monday that the woman's room appeared ransacked and alleged that Jankauskas had broken a mirror and a bed. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

On April 18, Fort Lauderdale officers were called to an Airbnb in the 1600 block of Northwest 16th Court after a group of women who had rented the home returned to find it in disarray, furniture flipped over, their belongings ransacked a man inside. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026

Entire ancient cities had been ransacked to the benefit of wealthy collectors and expansion-minded museum curators, who had profited from those works while the nation that had produced them starved. — Matthew Campbell, Bloomberg, 22 May 2026

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