rummage

¹rum·mage

verb \ˈrə-mij\

rum·magedrum·mag·ing

Definition of RUMMAGE

intransitive verb

1

: to make a thorough search or investigation

2

: to engage in an undirected or haphazard search

transitive verb

1

: to make a thorough search through : ransack <rummaged the attic>

2

: to examine minutely and completely

3

: to discover by searching

— rum·mag·er noun

Examples of RUMMAGE

1. He rummaged through the attic for his baseball card collection.
2. He rummaged in his pocket for the receipt.
3. I heard you rummaging around in the refrigerator.

Origin of RUMMAGE

²rummage

First Known Use: 1582

Related to RUMMAGE

Synonyms: ascertain, descry, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find out, get, hit (on or upon), hunt (down or up), learn, locate, nose out, root (out), rout (out), find, run down, scare up, scout (up), track (down), turn up

Antonyms: miss, overlook, pass over

Related Words: espy, sight, spot; look for, search (for or out), seek

Near Antonyms: lose, mislay, misplace, misset

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with RUMMAGE

scrummage