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

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

Four teenagers have been arrested over a burglary that left actor Brad Pitt's home ransacked, police said.

From BBC

This is not the first time an auto parts store being ransacked has coincided with a possible street takeover nearby.

From Los Angeles Times

Compared with other campuses, where protesters had ransacked buildings and hunkered down in encampments, George Mason had been relatively quiet over the past year, he said.

From Salon

Related Words

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