ransack
12 synonyms for ransack, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To search a place thoroughly and roughly, often leaving it in disorder.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ransack
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ransack the house
ransack a room
thoroughly ransacked
Etymology
From Old Norse rannsaka, literally "to search a house" — from rann ("house") plus a word meaning "to seek."
Full origin of ransack →Frequently asked questions
What does “ransack” mean?
The word “ransack” means to search a place thoroughly and roughly, often leaving it in disorder. In plain terms, to search somewhere roughly and thoroughly, usually leaving a mess, often while looking for something to steal.
How do you pronounce “ransack”?
“Ransack” is pronounced RAN-sak (/ˈɹænsæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “ransack” in a sentence?
Here is “ransack” used in a sentence: “Burglars had ransacked the house looking for valuables.”
What is another word for “ransack”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ransack” include ramshack, ransackle and ranshackle.
What part of speech is “ransack”?
“Ransack” is a verb.
Where does the word “ransack” come from?
The word “ransack” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse rannsaka, literally "to search a house" — from rann ("house") plus a word meaning "to seek.".
