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ransack
[ ran-sak ]
/ ˈræn sæk /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object)
to search thoroughly or vigorously through (a house, receptacle, etc.): They ransacked the house for the missing letter.
to search through for plunder; pillage: The enemy ransacked the entire town.
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Origin of ransack
1200–50; Middle English ransaken<Old Norse rannsaka to search, examine (for evidence of crime), equivalent to rann house + saka search (variant of soekja to seek)
OTHER WORDS FROM ransack
ran·sack·er, nounun·ran·sacked, adjectiveWords nearby ransack
Rankin, Jeanette, rankism, rankle, rank scale, rankshift, ransack, ransom, Ransome, ransomware, rant, rant and rave
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use ransack in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ransack
ransack
/ (ˈrænsæk) /
verb (tr)
to search through every part of (a house, box, etc); examine thoroughly
to plunder; pillage
Derived forms of ransack
ransacker, nounWord Origin for ransack
C13: from Old Norse rann house + saka to search, seek
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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