ransack

[ˈrænsæk]

ransack Definition

• 1. to search a place thoroughly and often untidily, often causing damage or disorder
• 2. to steal things from a place

Using ransack: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ransack" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The burglars ransacked the house and stole all the valuable items.

• Example

  I ransacked my room looking for my lost keys.

• Example

  The hurricane ransacked the entire town, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

ransack Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for ransack

• plunder
• loot
• rob
• raid
• pillage

Antonyms for ransack

• organize
• tidy

Phrases with ransack

• ransack the archives

  to search through historical records or documents in order to find information

  Example

  The researchers ransacked the archives for any information about the ancient civilization.

• ransack one's brain

  to try very hard to remember or think of something

  Example

  I've been ransacking my brain trying to remember where I put my passport.

• ransack the market

  to search a market or stores for goods to buy

  Example

  We ransacked the market for fresh produce and found some great deals.

Origins of ransack

from Old Norse 'rannsaka', meaning 'to search a house'

📌

Summary: ransack in Brief

The verb 'ransack' [ˈrænsæk] means to search a place thoroughly and often untidily, often causing damage or disorder, or to steal things from a place. It can be used to describe physical searches like 'The burglars ransacked the house and stole all the valuable items,' or mental searches like 'I ransacked my room looking for my lost keys.' The phrase 'ransack the archives' refers to searching through historical records or documents, while 'ransack one's brain' means to try very hard to remember or think of something.