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

Example 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

All of these are combined in a sack and suspended over the heated agave mixture during the second distillation. —

Richard Carleton Hacker, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025 The 2024 first-round pick had been somewhat of a revelation at the outside linebacker position, ranking second among all rookies in sacks (six) and quarterback hits (14). —

C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025

Verb

The Chiefs defense sacked C.J. Stroud eight times while pressuring him on over half of his dropbacks (21 of 41, 51.2%) in their Divisional Round win. —

Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2025 Hurts has taken some big shots in the game, and has been sacked five times so far. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sack

Noun

Our fabulous intuition suggests the man holding the bag, will be CBS’ rules analyst Gene Steratore.

— Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025
Feel-good music played over the speakers, while staff passed out drinks (mimosas, coffee, tea and water) and pastries donated by Porto’s Bakery & Cafe, and each guest received a goodie bag filled with hair-care products.

— Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025