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
First, beefy agents from the F.S.B., the federal security service, ransacked his apartment before dawn.
—
Neil MacFarquhar, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025
Four thieves dressed up as construction workers and used drills, power saws and blowtorches to ransack a Cherry Creek jeweler last July, making off with more than $12 million in luxury watches and accessories.
—Max Levy, The Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2025
After the murder, Baker and Austin ransacked the couple’s bedroom and took the DVR from the garage where the home security footage was stored.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
At the time, Napoleon was ransacking the world, and in Hunt’s eyes, the prince wasn’t a reliable leader who could stand against the French army.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ransack
Neil MacFarquhar, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025
Four thieves dressed up as construction workers and used drills, power saws and blowtorches to ransack a Cherry Creek jeweler last July, making off with more than $12 million in luxury watches and accessories.
—Max Levy, The Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2025
After the murder, Baker and Austin ransacked the couple’s bedroom and took the DVR from the garage where the home security footage was stored.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
At the time, Napoleon was ransacking the world, and in Hunt’s eyes, the prince wasn’t a reliable leader who could stand against the French army.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ransack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransack
Verb
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The Bucks likely wouldn’t stop there, perhaps looking to plunder young players such as Ayo Dosunmu and Matas Buzelis to flesh out a restart without Antetokounmpo.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2025
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In 1538, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the medieval statue of Our Lady of Walsingham (a classic Madonna and child) was plundered then lost to time.—
Lamorna Ash,
The Dial,
6 May 2025
Verb
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In an era where consumer attention is fleeting and digital content saturation is at an all-time high, marketers are searching for ways to create more engaging, interactive experiences.—
Jiajun Lu,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Divers scoured the water and deployed sonar scanners to search for Daniel until nightfall.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
Verb
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On Sunday, the editorial staff of Télé Pluriel in the Delmas 19 neighborhood, said heavily armed gang members had broken through the station’s main barrier sometime during the night and set fire to its premises while also pillaging their offices.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2025
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Uh uh, method dressing is forever, at least for Timothée Chalamet—until the next role-of-a-lifetime comes along, or the parcels of Bob Dylan ephemera pillaged from the online auction houses stop coming through the young actor’s door that is.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Authorities said his car was found at the Mount Adams trailhead, while his remains were found on the Allen Mountain Trail.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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Related Stories ‘Alien: Earth’, ‘The Bear’ Season 4 & ‘The Lowdown’ Get Premiere Dates At FX, Hulu & Disney+ 2025 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming Additionally, further details about what the show is about can be found below.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
13 May 2025
Verb
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The seven-time Super Bowl champion was sacked 565 times in 335 games as quarterback, which is good for a 4.48 sack percentage.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2025
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Did Elmo get sacked as a result of President Trump’s attempts to defund public media?—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Starring Jon Hamm, the drama follows a suburban executive who, facing financial collapse, turns to looting the homes of his affluent social circle.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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Israel has long maintained that humanitarian aid has been looted by Hamas.—
Guy Davies,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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Growth in Africa must be clean, both in terms of generating energy and not despoiling the continent’s landscape and natural resources.—
Jack A. Goldstone,
Foreign Affairs,
18 May 2023
Verb
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Authorities outfitted two of the cubs with tracking collars after the bears started wandering into the town of Jackson to raid garbage cans, compost bins and bird feeders for food.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 May 2025
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Massachusetts Avenue eatery Millie’s was also reportedly raided Tuesday morning, with officers wielding a search warrant signed by an ICE agent — not a judge.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ransack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransack. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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