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sack

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verb (1)

sack

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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
The unit that led the NFL with 63 sacks last season dropped Ward six times in the opener, including one on a third-and-goal play and another that nearly resulted in a safety. Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 The 49ers secured the victory thanks to a strip-sack by edge rusher Nick Bosa on Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
There has been minimal pressure as well, with the Hurricanes being sacked just three times and having just five total tackles for loss allowed. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025 On second down, Denegal was sacked in the end zone. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sack
Noun
  • Newsprint accessorized, equally as important as the bags upon which it was affixed.
    Anika Reed, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Other transmissions mentioned aviator-style glasses, a black bag, black long pants and longer hair.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Customers can wrap the truck’s exterior paneling in a color or print of their choosing, as well as customize lighting and tires, and even convert the two-passenger flat bed truck into a 5-person SUV.
    Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Right now, top-selling furniture and home decor pieces from her line are up to 79 percent off, including area rugs, storage cabinets, bed frames, and more.
    Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The lens ships with front and rear caps, a reversible hood with a push-button release for its bayonet lock, and a soft carrying pouch.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The soaps, for example, come in glass pumps but also with refillable pouches (made of tree-free paper and biodegradable).
    Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Loneliness is the healthy emotion that nudges us to get off the couch and go be with people.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The Pro Bowl defensive tackle was tossed out of the Eagles’ home opener on Thursday night before many viewers had even gotten settled on their couches.
    Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Wandering through the all-but-empty dormitories today, visitors see the spaces marked by the vertical support poles, which once housed nests of bunks.
    Don Sproul, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Deputies then transported him back to his cell, where he was placed on the lower bunk.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sack. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sack

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