SACK Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'sack' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sack are despoil , devastate , pillage , ravage , and waste . While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place. // barbarians sacked ancient Rome

Q: Where would 'despoil' be a reasonable alternative to 'sack'?

The synonyms despoil and sack are sometimes interchangeable, but despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction. // the Nazis despoiled the art museums

Q: When could 'devastate' be used to replace 'sack'?

The words devastate and sack can be used in similar contexts, but devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area. // an earthquake devastated the city

Q: How are the words 'pillage' and 'sack' related?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack . // settlements pillaged by Vikings

Q: When can 'ravage' be used instead of 'sack'?

While the synonyms ravage and sack are close in meaning, ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction. // a hurricane ravaged the coast

Q: When might 'waste' be a better fit than 'sack'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sack , waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action. // years of drought had wasted the area

sack 1 of 3

noun

ˈsak

Definition of sack next

as in bag

a container made of a flexible material (as paper or plastic) asked the bagger to put all the loaves of bread in the same sack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in bed

a place set aside for sleeping I think I'm ready to hit the sack

Synonyms & Similar Words

sack

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to dismiss

to let go from office, service, or employment he was sacked for showing up late once too often

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sack

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to plunder

to search through with the intent of committing robbery thieves sacked the house in search of the diamond necklace

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb sack contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sack are despoil, devastate, pillage, ravage, and waste. While all these words mean "to lay waste by plundering or destroying," sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place.

barbarians sacked ancient Rome

Where would despoil be a reasonable alternative to sack?

The synonyms despoil and sack are sometimes interchangeable, but despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction.

the Nazis despoiled the art museums

When could devastate be used to replace sack?

The words devastate and sack can be used in similar contexts, but devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area.

an earthquake devastated the city

How are the words pillage and sack related?

Pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack.

settlements pillaged by Vikings

When can ravage be used instead of sack?

While the synonyms ravage and sack are close in meaning, ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction.

a hurricane ravaged the coast

When might waste be a better fit than sack?

While in some cases nearly identical to sack, waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action.

years of drought had wasted the area

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of sack

Noun

Expectations were higher for Leonard Floyd (three sacks) because of his two-year, $20 million contract that was the 49ers’ richest in free agency, but he’s made some key plays and started every game. —

Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024 Against the Las Vegas Raiders, the team allowed just one sack. —

Adam Grosbard, Orange County Register, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

The former chief scientist at OpenAI joined Helen Toner and two others on the controlling nonprofit board to sack their CEO in a spectacular coup last November. —

Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2024 He was sacked twice to help the Titans kill drives, including taking a 19-yard loss on the Bears’ second series. —

Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sack

Noun

This trio is an excellent match for your lip liner-wiz bestie looking to toss the crusty drugstore pencil at the bottom of her makeup bag.

Annie Blackman, Allure, 5 Nov. 2024
Over the years it’s slithered its way into a handful of new boot silhouettes, belts, and even bags, too.

Madeline Fass, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024