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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ransacked
The agents pushed through the door and ransacked the family’s belongings.
—
Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Authorities say she was forced to remain outside while the suspects ransacked the residence and a Mercedes Sprinter van parked on the property before fleeing the scene.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Feb. 2026
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
Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Authorities say she was forced to remain outside while the suspects ransacked the residence and a Mercedes Sprinter van parked on the property before fleeing the scene.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransacked
Verb
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What’s the reward for being the most productively plundered of the mid-majors?—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Monster bamboo, bougainvillea, and banana plants crashed in from the roadside; a tin roof sagged under the weight of a gaggle of marabou storks; baboons plundered trash cans at a highway intersection.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The student suspected of having the firearm was removed from class, and the school resource deputy searched their bag, Boyd said.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
21 Feb. 2026
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The plane was declared a crime scene and was searched and cleared by authorities before departing after a nearly three-hour delay.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The item belongs to a rare collection of French crown jewels still held by the nation, after most were looted during the French Revolution beginning in 1789.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Law enforcement officers were injured, autonomous vehicles were set on fire and stores were looted.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pietro Loro Piana founded the company as a wool mill in 1924 in the country’s Quarona.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
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Film and Music Entertainment was founded by Taylor in 2000 and has produced over 75 features with over 120 European production companies, winning multiple awards at Venice, Berlin, Sundance and Cannes.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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North Texas — whose roster was pillaged in the portal and saw its top players leave for Oklahoma State alongside former head coach Eric Morris — have signed 42 transfers.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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It is inspired by a true 2009 event in which 12 members of a family in a village in the Kurdish region of Türkiye raided a wedding and killed 44 people, including women and children.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
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During the war, Israeli forces raided a number of hospitals, detaining hundreds of staffers.—
Sam Mednick,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last week’s Stick to Football episode, recorded shortly after his successor, Thomas Frank, was sacked by Spurs, was the fastest in its history to reach one million views.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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In recent weeks, Baker McKenzie, a white-shoe law firm, axed 700 employees, Salesforce sacked hundreds of workers, and the auditing firm KPMG negotiated lower fees with its own auditor.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 2026.
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