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

One baby ransacked her belongings, another clung to her for months as a surrogate mother.

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Verres ransacked Sicily’s Greek temples and pillaged the homes of Roman citizens.

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All but about six of the kibbutz’s 222 homes were invaded and ransacked.

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In Pakistan, supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan attacked military installations and ransacked the home of a senior military officer in 2023 but failed to seize power from the well-organized and ruthless army.

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

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Related Words

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