ransacking
nounUK /ˈrænsækɪŋ/
US /ˈrænsækɪŋ/
The act of searching a place in a rough and messy way.
The ransacking of the room left everything scattered on the floor.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The act of stealing things from a place after searching it.
The pirates' ransacking of the village left the villagers with nothing.
3. A thorough and disorderly search through something.
Her ransacking of the closet turned up the missing keys.
4. Severe damage caused by a violent search.
The ransacking of the office was reported to the police.