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ransack

[ ran-sak ]
/ ˈræn sæk /
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See synonyms for: ransack / ransacker on Thesaurus.com

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

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;” see seek)

OTHER WORDS FROM ransack

ran·sack·er, nounun·ran·sacked, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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, noun

Word Origin for ransack

C13: from Old Norse rann house + saka to search, seek
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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