1
as in plundered
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 searched
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
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Recent Examples of ransacked
In 2011, after guests ransacked an Airbnb host’s home, the story exploded in the press and #RIPAirbnb began trending on social media.
—
Christopher Dilella, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026
Tillis said the plaque may be displayed in the Senate's third-floor public gallery, one area that was ransacked by rioters.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
According to a Mercury News report from the time, the neighbor called for help, and was soon joined by another resident who described the apartment as having been ransacked.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
She was immediately struck and restrained with zip ties on her hands and feet, and one of the men covered her mouth while the group ransacked the home, according to the affidavit.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
After the Second Temple of Jerusalem was ransacked by Antiochus, there was only enough oil in the jar to burn for a single day.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
Hours after thieves launched a brazen heist at the Louvre in Paris, another French museum was ransacked.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The prosecution said Hernandez hit Murray's wife and bound her with duct tape in the kitchen and Zuazo ransacked the house.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
According to the outlet, a burglar ransacked the property after smashing a glass door to get in while the couple were not at home.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Christopher Dilella, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026
Tillis said the plaque may be displayed in the Senate's third-floor public gallery, one area that was ransacked by rioters.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
According to a Mercury News report from the time, the neighbor called for help, and was soon joined by another resident who described the apartment as having been ransacked.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
She was immediately struck and restrained with zip ties on her hands and feet, and one of the men covered her mouth while the group ransacked the home, according to the affidavit.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
After the Second Temple of Jerusalem was ransacked by Antiochus, there was only enough oil in the jar to burn for a single day.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
Hours after thieves launched a brazen heist at the Louvre in Paris, another French museum was ransacked.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The prosecution said Hernandez hit Murray's wife and bound her with duct tape in the kitchen and Zuazo ransacked the house.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
According to the outlet, a burglar ransacked the property after smashing a glass door to get in while the couple were not at home.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransacked
Verb
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Last fall, copper thieves plundered about a dozen public streetlights over three city blocks, leaving their neighborhood in the dark.—
Gavin J. Quinton,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
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The last round of expansion, adding Seattle and Vancouver, came at significant cost to the league’s six original franchises, which had their rosters plundered in the expansion draft.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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According to body camera footage, Grayson and sheriff's Deputy Dawson Farley, who was not charged, searched outside Massey's home before meeting her at her door.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
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In addition to the murder and firearm charges, there was also the question of whether Mangione’s backpack, which was searched while he was being detained in Altoona, would be admissible as evidence in the case.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Buildings burned to the ground; businesses were looted.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
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For months, mausoleums in the graveyard, some more than a hundred years old, were being looted in the dead of night, police said.—
Gaya Gupta,
Washington Post,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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In 1916, the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, also known as the Denver Buddhist Church at the time, was founded at 1950 Lawrence St.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a landscape of sequels and overly pillaged IP, the Stranger Things finale is finite and close-ended, the credits rolling once and for all.—
Yohana Desta,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 2026
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Many prehistoric structures were pillaged for rock, but a remarkable number are intact.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Prosecutors said that in December 2024, Mexican authorities raided multiple fentanyl production labs across Sinaloa that were allegedly controlled by the father and son and made the world’s largest ever fentanyl seizure, which totaled more than 3,300 pounds of the ultra-potent drug.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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Getting their roster raided by Power 4 conference programs, including the one where their former coach is now running the show.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dak got sacked and lost seven yards.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Herbert was sacked a career-high 54 times while playing behind an offensive line that was without top tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater because of season-ending injuries.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the 21st century, oil extraction has become a serious threat to Ecuadoran Amazonia, with large swaths of forest, often located in Indigenous territories, despoiled by the release of wastewater from the wells.—
Stanley Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ransacked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransacked. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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