ransack
verb (used with object)
to search thoroughly or vigorously through (a house, receptacle, etc.).
has been ransacking
-
present perfect progressiveof ransack (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Feline thief Gingee, a four-year-old Maine Coon, has been ransacking nearby homes in Buckley, Flintshire.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2023
The learned doctor has been ransacking all the libraries of the earth to find a certain rare formula, now almost unknown, by which he can control the infernal deities.
From Alarms and Discursions by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton
Miss Penelope, we fancy, has been ransacking some old chest of faded finery, and has arrayed herself in the character of "Martha Washington," as painted by Gilbert Stuart.
From Sir Joshua Reynolds A Collection of Fifteen Pictures and a Portrait of the Painter with Introduction and Interpretation by Estelle M. (Estelle May) Hurll
The Princess has been ransacking her memory all about her affairs with your cousin; she's more certain than ever now that nobody in Russia but he and she knew anything about the jewel deal.
From The Rayner-Slade Amalgamation by J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher
Kittredge has been ransacking the town for him all day, and up to a couple of hours ago he hadn't found him.
From The Honorable Senator Sage-Brush by Francis Lynde
