What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ransacked
Example
The burglars ransacked the house, leaving everything in disarray. [ransacked: past tense]
Example
The police ransacked the suspect's apartment looking for evidence. [ransacked: verb]
plundered
Example
The invaders plundered the village, taking everything of value. [plundered: past tense]
Example
The pirates plundered the ship, taking all the treasure. [plundered: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ransacked is more commonly used in everyday language than plundered. Ransacked is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while plundered is less common and has a more specific connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ransacked and plundered?
Both ransacked and plundered are informal words, but ransacked can be used in more formal contexts than plundered due to its wider usage and versatility.