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

The Bears also rank second in the conference in sacks produced, while TCU ranks 15th in sacks allowed and 16th in rushing. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026

Jones finished with 15 1/2 sacks that season, which established him as one of the league’s premier pass rushers. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Cleveland won three in a row but hit a wall last week, when Deshaun Watson was sacked eight times. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

There’s a reason Steve Bruce got sacked at Newcastle and Howe was installed. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing sack

• hit the sack