ransack

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ransack" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "ransack" when you want to describe a situation in which someone or a group of people searches a place in a messy and destructive way. Example Sentence: Thieves ransacked the home looking for valuable items.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

IT BEGAN in June, when coca growers in the Chapare region of Bolivia threatened to ransack the local offices of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has worked on anti-drug efforts there for the past 25 years.

The Economist

It sent police to ransack the offices of the country's leading investigative journalist, Carlos Fernando Chamorro, and those of a women's group.

The Economist

Widespread fears that they would ransack the courthouse and local churches, or target the judges with bombs (as had been threatened via Twitter and SMS messages) proved unfounded.Whether due to fatigue from their long wait, or the fact that they were outnumbered better than 3-to-1 by 3,000 armed police and soldiers, Mr Basyir's young followers didn't muster for a fight.

The Economist

Elsewhere in the south, protesters took over railway stations, blocked highways and tried to ransack airports.

The Economist

Companies suspect China of organising mini-raids to ransack Western know-how: but it could just have easily been Western criminals, computer-hackers showing off or disillusioned former employees.

The Economist

Some also fear that he will ransack Volvo's intellectual property to boost Geely's less sophisticated cars.Mr Li insists that he will support Volvo's management.

The Economist

The president is not tarrying in order to bring himself glory or riches or to ransack the liberties of the American people.

The Economist

To show that they meant business, the fishermen went on to ransack his home and to burn the offices of the islands' national park.The Galapagos archipelago, which lies 1,000km from the Ecuadorean mainland, has become the site of increasingly violent clashes between conservationists and fishermen.

The Economist

They ransack liberal newspapers.

The Economist

The United Nations Security Council has also condemned the attacks on the Saudi diplomats that saw protestors ransack offices and set them on fire.

Independent

Where others had to ransack their memories, Humboldt – "whose eyes are natural telescopes & microscopes", as the American writer and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said in admiration – had every morsel of knowledge and observation to hand at an instant.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "ransack" with specific nouns to create vivid imagery, such as "ransack a house" or "ransack a city".

Common error

Don't use "ransack" when a simple search is meant. "Ransack" implies a violent and destructive search, not a casual look around.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ransack" is as a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object. It describes the action of thoroughly searching a place or thing, often in a destructive or violent manner. As noted by Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ransack" is a versatile transitive verb that describes a thorough and destructive search. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral tone. While synonyms like "loot", "pillage", and "plunder" exist, "ransack" uniquely emphasizes the resulting disarray and violation. Use it to vividly portray the intensity of a search, but avoid applying it to casual or orderly situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loot

Focuses primarily on stealing goods during a riot, war, or disaster.

pillage

Emphasizes the violent plundering of a place, often during wartime.

plunder

Implies taking goods by force or illegally, often on a large scale.

raid

Suggests a sudden attack or invasion to seize something.

rifle through

Implies a quick and often disrespectful search.

comb through

Suggests a very thorough search.

scour

Suggests a thorough search, often over a wide area.

despoil

Highlights the act of stripping something of value or beauty.

go through with a fine-tooth comb

Emphasizes extreme thoroughness in searching.

turn inside out

Indicates a complete and chaotic search.

FAQs

How can I use "ransack" in a sentence?

You can use "ransack" to describe a thorough and destructive search, like "The burglars "ransacked" the apartment looking for valuables".

What's a good synonym for "ransack"?

Alternatives for "ransack" include "loot", "pillage", or "plunder", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "ransack" formal or informal?

"Ransack" is suitable for both neutral and formal contexts, often appearing in news reports and descriptive writing.

What's the difference between "ransack" and "search"?

"Ransack" implies a more violent and destructive search than a simple "search". "Ransack" suggests that the place was left in disarray.