Ransack: meaning, definitions and examples

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ransack

 

[ ˈræn.sæk ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

search thoroughly

To ransack means to search through a place in a way that causes disorder, often to steal something. It suggests a thorough and often violent search for valuables. The act of ransacking can leave a space disheveled and chaotic.

Synonyms

loot, pillage, plunder, ravage, search

Examples of usage

  • The thieves ransacked the house for valuables.
  • After the party, they ransacked the kitchen for leftovers.
  • The soldiers ransacked the abandoned building for supplies.

Translations

Translations of the word "ransack" in other languages:

🇵🇹 revistar

🇮🇳 खंगालना

🇩🇪 durchsuchen

🇮🇩 mencari-cari

🇺🇦 перемотувати

🇵🇱 przeszukiwać

🇯🇵 捜索する

🇫🇷 fouiller

🇪🇸 registrar

🇹🇷 arama yapmak

🇰🇷 뒤지다

🇸🇦 يبحث

🇨🇿 prohledávat

🇸🇰 prehľadávať

🇨🇳 翻找

🇸🇮 iskati

🇮🇸 leita

🇰🇿 іздеу

🇬🇪 ძიება

🇦🇿 axtarmaq

🇲🇽 registrar

Etymology

The term 'ransack' originates from the Old Norse word 'rann-saka', where 'rann' means 'house' and 'saka' means 'to search'. This etymology illustrates the act of searching a house. It was first used in English during the 15th century, and its use often conveyed a sense of violence or disorder as it was associated with invading or looting. Over the centuries, 'ransack' evolved to encompass not only the act of theft but also any thorough or aggressive search, which can be applied to contexts beyond criminal activity. The word reflects historical periods of turmoil, where houses and possessions were often forcibly searched for valuables by invaders or robbers, marking its place in the English language as a term layered with connotation of disorder and the impacts of conflict.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,212 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.