scrounge

verb

scrounged; scrounging

transitive verb

1
2
a
: to get as needed by or as if by foraging, scavenging, or borrowing
scrounging enough money for a bus ticket
b
: finagle, wheedle
often used with up

intransitive verb

: to search about and turn up something needed from whatever source is available
also : to actively seek money, work, or sustenance from any available source
scrounger noun

Examples of scrounge in a Sentence

I managed to scrounge enough money for a bus ticket. He's always scrounging off his friends instead of paying for things himself. We scrounged around for firewood. We managed to scrounge some firewood.
Recent Examples on the Web In contrast to Governor Hogan, Gov. Wes Moore has been an enthusiastic supporter of the delusions of the overpriced Blueprint, never yielding on his intention to scrounge up a mere 30 billion bucks to fully fund the requirements for the Blueprint. Steve Hershey, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2024 Surely, if a YouTuber could scrounge up the funds for the tools, Apple could, too. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 26 July 2023 Hendrickson scrounged up a Bible and the new president swore on it. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 6 Feb. 2024 Goodchild grew up in a tar-paper shack, sleeping on a mattress scrounged from a dump. Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2024 European nations promised Ukraine a huge resupply, but for now seem to have been able to scrounge up only 300,000 or so artillery shells. Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2024 With Royalty in school, Kidd has been able to provide for her family without having to scrounge together the money for child care. Cynthia McFadden, NBC News, 2 Dec. 2023 Don’t be left scrounging around the grocery store for turkey the day before the holiday. Becky Krystal, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2023 Unreliable stock and higher prices are a lot to ask customers to stomach, especially creative ones who can scrounge up alternatives. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 2 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scrounge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of English dialect scrunge to wander about idly

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrounge was circa 1909

Dictionary Entries Near scrounge

Cite this Entry

“Scrounge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrounge. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scrounge

verb
scrounged; scrounging
1
: to collect by or as if by rummaging
scrounge around for firewood
2
: to get by coaxing or persuading
scrounge a dollar from a friend
scrounger noun

More from Merriam-Webster on scrounge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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