1
as in looting
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 searching
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
as in plundering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ransacking
Andrew Blankstein, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2025
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
Two men were arrested in connection with a series of high-end burglaries at the homes of affluent Southern Californians, including the ransacking of superstar Brad Pitt’s house, law enforcement sources said Monday.
—Andrew Blankstein, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
Protests intensified over the weekend, with rioters targeting the homes of lawmakers, ransacking and looting properties, and burning government buildings, according to media reports.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransacking
Verb
-
The store released a black-and-white video showing the thieves, which appears to be at least four suspects, plundering the business.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While searching for Tyga's Instagram page, Drake said his app's explore page was flooded by content of the two-time WWE world champion, whose real name is Demi Bennett.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Someone in Memphis searching for a mechanic shouldn't receive results optimized for Phoenix auto shops, even if those Phoenix businesses have technically superior traditional search engine optimization.—
Joe Toscano,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That incident unleashed rioting and looting, with the homes of political leaders—including that of the finance minister—attacked and government offices burned.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Local media reported isolated looting in Jakarta and damage to several transportation facilities in Jakarta on Friday, as well as demonstrations in the major cities of Bandung and Yogyakarta.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Ilett has been combing the schedule.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Less than two weeks later, a DOGE task force arrived in Bradenton for a two-day visit, combing through files and interviewing staff.—
Josh Salman,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Amid the pillaging of homes, Roman magistrates were likely sent to the city to prevent an anarchic type of existence, based on ancient literary sources the authors referenced in the study.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In the 2024-25 NBA season, Josh, who serves as the Denver Nuggets’ CEO and team president, was instrumental in sacking head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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The results also come on the heels of Qantas recently being hit with a record A$90 million penalty for illegally sacking 1,800 ground staff.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Vikings, for example, used the extra daylight to sneak in a longer pillage sesh.—
Corey Buhay,
Outside Online,
19 June 2025
-
Otherwise, illicit actors will continue to profit from their pillage.—
Justyna Gudzowska,
Foreign Affairs,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Simpson goes away to college, in Chicago, though not without her mother raiding her personal loan.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
3 Sep. 2025
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Almost half of America's youngest workers are raiding their retirement accounts just to get by, a new report has found.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ransacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransacking. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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