ransack
UK: ˈrænsæk | US: ˈrænˌsæk
vt. to search thoroughly, often causing disorder or damage
vt. to plunder or loot (a place) violently
The word "ransack" originates from Old Norse rannsaka, where rann means "house" and saka means "to search." It entered Middle English via Old Norse influence during the Viking Age, blending with the Old English verb sēcan (to seek). Over time, the meaning shifted from "to search a house" to "to plunder violently," reflecting the destructive raids of the era. The morpheme sack later reinforced the connotation of looting, as "to sack" also means to pillage.
The burglars ransacked the entire apartment looking for valuables.
Historical accounts describe how invaders would ransack villages without mercy.
She ransacked her closet but couldn’t find the missing document.
The museum was ransacked during the civil unrest.
He ransacked his memory for details of the event.