Synonyms of sack

sack 1 of 3

noun

ˈsak 

1

as in bag

a container made of a flexible material (as paper or plastic)

asked the bagger to put all the loaves of bread in the same sack

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bag
• pouch
• backpack
• package
• wallet
• poke
• purse
• packet
• bundle
• satchel
• pack
• carryall
• knapsack
• portmanteau
• rucksack
• tote
• haversack
• duffel bag
• traveling bag
• pocketbook
• handbag
• tote bag
• parcel
• shopping bag
• kit bag
• garment bag
• flight bag
• barracks bag
• ditty bag
• work bag

2

as in bed

a place set aside for sleeping

I think I'm ready to hit the sack

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bed
• couch
• bunk
• mattress
• sofa
• doss
• hay
• rack
• kip
• pad
• crib
• pallet
• lair
• bedstead
• hammock
• futon
• cot
• studio couch
• cradle
• sofa bed
• daybed
• water bed
• bunk bed
• trundle bed
• feather bed
• shakedown
• Murphy bed
• bassinet
• carry-cot
• sleigh bed
• four-poster

sack

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to dismiss

to let go from office, service, or employment

he was sacked for showing up late once too often

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dismiss
• remove
• fire
• retire
• release
• ax
• discharge
• can
• terminate
• pink-slip
• bounce
• turn off
• excess
• muster out
• cashier
• show (someone) the door
• send packing
• lay off
• trim
• downsize
• kick out
• furlough
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• unseat
• chuck (out)
• separate
• throw out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sign (up or on)
• employ
• hire
• retain
• engage
• keep
• take on
• contract
• recruit
• rehire
• reemploy
• subcontract

sack

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to plunder

to search through with the intent of committing robbery

thieves sacked the house in search of the diamond necklace

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plunder
• loot
• pillage
• raid
• despoil
• ransack
• maraud
• rifle
• steal (from)
• rake
• comb
• break in
• rummage
• hunt
• rip off
• harry
• burglarize
• ravish

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb sack contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sack are despoil, devastate, pillage, ravage, and waste. While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

Where would despoil be a reasonable alternative to sack?

The synonyms despoil and sack are sometimes interchangeable, but despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

When could devastate be used to replace sack?

The words devastate and sack can be used in similar contexts, but devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

How are the words pillage and sack related?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.

settlements pillaged by Vikings

When can ravage be used instead of sack?

While the synonyms ravage and sack are close in meaning, ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

When might waste be a better fit than sack?

While in some cases nearly identical to sack, waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sack

Noun

Edges in a 3-4 are built on ripping around the edge for sacks, but also asked to periodically fall off and cover in space. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

That stopped Saturday, starting with the two interceptions, a pair of fumbles, one pass breakup and a few would-be sacks. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026

Verb

People can and should be skeptical about the sonnets written about starting NFL quarterbacks every offseason, when no one is getting sacked and almost everyone looks good. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

The museum replaced him with Sasha Suda, hiring her away from the National Gallery of Canada before sacking her following a disastrous rebrand and replacing her with Weiss, a former president of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. — News Desk, Artforum, 29 July 2026

Phrases Containing sack

• hit the sack