ransack

[ran-sak]

verb (used with object)

1. to search thoroughly or vigorously through (a house, receptacle, etc.).

   They ransacked the house for the missing letter.

2. to search through for plunder; pillage.

   The enemy ransacked the entire town.

ransack

/ ˈrænsæk /

verb

1. to search through every part of (a house, box, etc); examine thoroughly

2. to plunder; pillage

Other Word Forms

• ransacker noun
• unransacked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ransack¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English ransaken, from Old Norse rannsaka “to search, examine (for evidence of crime),” equivalent to rann “house” + saka, variant of sœkja “to search;” seek )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ransack¹

C13: from Old Norse rann house + saka to search, _seek

Example Sentences

A nonprofit that provides hot meals, coffee and clothing to homeless Southern Californians is struggling to recover after its supply trailer was ransacked.

From Los Angeles Times

It sat vacant for over 20 years, while animal and human scavengers ransacked the ten-acre site and claimed it for their own, before it was rescued in the 1990s by architectural preservationists.

From Salon

Buildings have burnt down, homes have been looted and ransacked, and politicians have been dragged from their houses and beaten.

From BBC

Thousands have taken to the streets in major cities in the last week, joined at times by rioters setting fire to government buildings and looters ransacking the homes of politicians.

From Los Angeles Times

What to make of the Cherries now the defence that served them so well has been ransacked?

From BBC

Related Words

• comb 
• gut 
• loot 
• pillage 
• plunder 
• raid 
• rob 
• scour 
• seize 
• take away