Definition of sacknext

sack

2 of 3

verb (1)

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sack
Noun
As a senior at UCF, Lawrence totaled seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026 Dodson served as Miami’s green dot player last season, making all the defensive calls, and contributed 125 tackles, five sacks, one interception and forced one fumble last season. Omar Kelly august 8, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
Later, on third-and-6 from the 50 with 10 seconds left, Ewers was sacked by Cameron Goode. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 Ewers was sacked by Ojabo, completed a dig to Coleman after the whistle was blown. Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sack
Noun
  • The ball hit the bag and shot into the air, allowing the Angels’ fifth run to score.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than chasing an entirely new hero product, the company has taken the design language and consumer learning from The New York, one of its bestselling and most recognisable bags, and developed another style around it.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Sometimes poison ivy will creep into beds from nearby woodlands, but these plants can also find their way into flower beds via seeds dropped by birds.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Trust says the project would involve dredging around 643,000 cubic meters of sediment from the Fal Estuary, with potential risks to seagrass, kelp, maerl beds and the area’s native oyster fishery.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But by the time of his indictment, Lorch was in failing health and found incompetent to stand trial, and lawsuits against him and the church were dismissed due to statute of limitations issues.
    Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit was dismissed Monday without prejudice, meaning the case may be filed again.
    Riley Moser, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In vivid strokes of saffron orange and seafoam green watercolors, Wilson rendered a vibrant portrait of herself plundering birthday cake by the handful as party guests languished around the frame.
    Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
  • As long as the contents of a container have not been plundered outright, they can even be delivered to the recipient after an accident, albeit with some delay.
    Alexander Klose, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • Then Green, his wife and Beloozerov spent the next several days planning their trip and eating meals Beloozerov paid for in cash pulled from a pouch around his neck stocked with $100, $50 and $2 bills.
    Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Pendleton’s travel-ready design leans into that ritual with a roll-up board printed in one of the heritage brand’s iconic patterns, reversible wooden pieces, and a vegan leather pouch for toting it around.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Tijssen, who lives in France with her partner ‌and two sons, was sitting on the couch in April when ​a pop-up on her phone said her DNA results were in.
    Reuters, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Here are 10 great, comparatively tame stunts to introduce your kids to the cringe-inducing fun of Jackass… but make sure there’s a spot behind the couch handy with which to hide, just in case.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Kisunla is designed to help slow the progression of early symptomatic Alzheimer's by targeting the brain to break up and remove amyloid plaques, which are a hallmark of the disease.
    Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Company executives believe bringing fuel directly to fleet yards could remove that barrier.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Militants affiliated with the Islamic State group attacked a village in Congo near the border with Uganda early Saturday, killing at least 13 people and burning and looting homes, a local civil society group said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to missile targeting, Russia has also looted thousands of Ukrainian cultural objects since the beginning of the war.
    News Desk, Artforum, 7 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sack. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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