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
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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ransack
Jewish property across both cities was ransacked and at least one synagogue was burned to the ground.
—
Carlo J.v. Caro, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
The A-list couple was not home at the time, but the home was ransacked before the group took off.
—Alex Stone, ABC News, 20 May 2025
The Palisades Fire, the biggest one, burned more than 23,000 acres and destroyed more than 6,800 structures, while the Eaton Fire, which began in Altadena, burned more than 14,000 acres and ransacked more than 9,000 structures, CalFire said.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 21 Feb. 2025
His New Orleans hotel room, however, had been ransacked.
—Alex Heigl, People.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ransack
Carlo J.v. Caro, New York Daily News, 25 May 2025
The A-list couple was not home at the time, but the home was ransacked before the group took off.
—Alex Stone, ABC News, 20 May 2025
The Palisades Fire, the biggest one, burned more than 23,000 acres and destroyed more than 6,800 structures, while the Eaton Fire, which began in Altadena, burned more than 14,000 acres and ransacked more than 9,000 structures, CalFire said.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 21 Feb. 2025
His New Orleans hotel room, however, had been ransacked.
—Alex Heigl, People.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ransack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransack
Verb
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While pestilence crept over the walls of cities and the countryside fell into desolation—many foreign conquerors of Europe knew how to fight and plunder but not to plow or sow—the monks preserved words.—
Bernd Roeck
June 16,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
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In the ears of Hollywood traditionalists, A.I. enthusiasts can morph into cartoon pirates arriving to plunder.—
Brooks Barnes,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Observers have already been searching for clues as to what might be to come.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
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While searching for the wreckage from 2005 to 2013, the nonprofit found nine shipwrecks, but not Flight 2501.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Noni finds him in Crete, where Lion’s crew of pirates, assembled from fighters from around the world, are currently pillaging and enslaving a town.—
Kambole Campbell,
Variety,
9 June 2025
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Angry over the tagless intruders' prior antics in pillaging their resources, a horde of players descend upon the USS Callister crew, who flee while digital Nanette makes her way to the engine in the hopes of finding a solve.—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There, a tactical response team found a man lying dead with a weapon nearby, whom authorities believe was the shooter.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
1 July 2025
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If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Steer clear of open fields, hilltops, or ridge tops.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Eight days later, in a game relocated to Glendale, Ariz., because of deadly wildfires in Southern California, Darnold was sacked nine times and had two turnovers (including a fumble returned for touchdown) in a 27-9 loss.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Nix turned the ball over just eight times and was sacked 20 times in those final 13 games.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
17 June 2025
Verb
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On Wednesday, aid reached Gaza’s main city for the first time since March after deliveries were plagued by looting and coordination issues between aid agencies and the Israeli military.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
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The statues, stolen from Benin City in modern-day Nigeria, were looted by British troops at the end of the 19th century and sold on to museums across Europe.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Gaddis was an obscure state employee who was fired from his job last summer after leaking details of a secret plot by the DeSantis administration to despoil nine pristine Florida state parks with golf courses, pickleball courts and resort-style lodges — all to benefit his wealthy friends.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2025
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Anderson prefers to characterize Loewe as a cultural brand rather than a luxury one, finding the latter term despoiled.—
Rebecca Mead,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In 2022, Chinese authorities raided a warehouse and seized counterfeit Salvatore Ferragamo belts thanks to efforts by the Italian luxury house and Amazon.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
26 June 2025
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The following day, agents raided her husband’s home and business, Century Homebuilders Group, in Coral Gables.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ransack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransack. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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