1
as in plundered
to search through with the intent of committing robbery
it was clear that the thieves who had ransacked the museum were professionals—they bypassed most of the exhibits and went straight for the vaults
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in searched
to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something
I've ransacked the whole house for that book you lent me and it's nowhere to be found
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of ransacked
Authorities say she was forced to remain outside while the suspects ransacked the residence and a Mercedes Sprinter van parked on the property before fleeing the scene.
—
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Feb. 2026
In 2011, after guests ransacked an Airbnb host’s home, the story exploded in the press and #RIPAirbnb began trending on social media.
—Christopher Dilella, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026
Tillis said the plaque may be displayed in the Senate's third-floor public gallery, one area that was ransacked by rioters.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
According to a Mercury News report from the time, the neighbor called for help, and was soon joined by another resident who described the apartment as having been ransacked.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
She was immediately struck and restrained with zip ties on her hands and feet, and one of the men covered her mouth while the group ransacked the home, according to the affidavit.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
After the Second Temple of Jerusalem was ransacked by Antiochus, there was only enough oil in the jar to burn for a single day.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
Hours after thieves launched a brazen heist at the Louvre in Paris, another French museum was ransacked.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The prosecution said Hernandez hit Murray's wife and bound her with duct tape in the kitchen and Zuazo ransacked the house.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Feb. 2026
In 2011, after guests ransacked an Airbnb host’s home, the story exploded in the press and #RIPAirbnb began trending on social media.
—Christopher Dilella, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026
Tillis said the plaque may be displayed in the Senate's third-floor public gallery, one area that was ransacked by rioters.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
According to a Mercury News report from the time, the neighbor called for help, and was soon joined by another resident who described the apartment as having been ransacked.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
She was immediately struck and restrained with zip ties on her hands and feet, and one of the men covered her mouth while the group ransacked the home, according to the affidavit.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
After the Second Temple of Jerusalem was ransacked by Antiochus, there was only enough oil in the jar to burn for a single day.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Dec. 2025
Hours after thieves launched a brazen heist at the Louvre in Paris, another French museum was ransacked.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The prosecution said Hernandez hit Murray's wife and bound her with duct tape in the kitchen and Zuazo ransacked the house.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransacked
Verb
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Monster bamboo, bougainvillea, and banana plants crashed in from the roadside; a tin roof sagged under the weight of a gaggle of marabou storks; baboons plundered trash cans at a highway intersection.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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The Scandinavian Vikings were a seafaring people who plundered both north and west Europe for centuries — a pretty tough group.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The most searched for breakfast casserole in the South is the all-time favorite, the Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
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The family searched desperately for their bodies and eventually found them at the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center south of Tehran.—
Babak Dehghanpisheh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The item belongs to a rare collection of French crown jewels still held by the nation, after most were looted during the French Revolution beginning in 1789.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Law enforcement officers were injured, autonomous vehicles were set on fire and stores were looted.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile the National Citizen Party (NCP), a political party founded by students following the uprising, has struggled to meaningfully muscle its way into Bangladesh’s fractious and often violent political scene.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Who founded Black History Month?—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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North Texas — whose roster was pillaged in the portal and saw its top players leave for Oklahoma State alongside former head coach Eric Morris — have signed 42 transfers.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Jan. 2026
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In a landscape of sequels and overly pillaged IP, the Stranger Things finale is finite and close-ended, the credits rolling once and for all.—
Yohana Desta,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The newspaper printed its last edition in June 2021 after police raided its office and froze its assets.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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As recently as December, police raided a gay-friendly venue in the nation’s capital, Baku, and detained more than 100 people.—
Ryan Oehrli
Updated February 6,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham’s manager at the start of that season, was sacked on November 19, with the team 14th in the league — although the fateful conversation with then-chairman Daniel Levy was conducted off-camera.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Maye was sacked 21 times in the playoffs — the most ever for a QB in a single postseason.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the 21st century, oil extraction has become a serious threat to Ecuadoran Amazonia, with large swaths of forest, often located in Indigenous territories, despoiled by the release of wastewater from the wells.—
Stanley Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ransacked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransacked. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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