as in searched
to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something
rifled the desk drawer in search of the insurance policy
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Recent Examples of rifled
Nathan MacKinnon rifled in a goal, tacked on an empty-netter and assisted on another tally by Devon Toews, whose defense partner, Cale Makar, also scored.
—
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Josh Eernisse picked the puck out of a faceoff scrum at the right dot and rifled a wrist shot into the top corner to even the score.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Down 0-2 in the count to the Orioles’ Kyle Bradish in his first big league at-bat, Griffin rifled a double to left-center and then used his blazing speed to come around and score on Jared Triolo’s ensuing single to right.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Noel Caliskan played a short pass to the right corner of the penalty area, where Gozo flicked it up in the air and rifled a volley into the net.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
The score stayed that way until Hughes, a New Jersey Devils’ forward, rifled a shot under Binnington’s pads for his fourth score of the tournament, ending both the game and the Games.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
The junior then rifled a cross towards the near post, where a cutting Annabel Grentz headed it into the bottom-right corner, handing the Patriots the 2-1 advantage.
—Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Ovechkin then rifled home a wrister from the left circle to end a four-game goal drought.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Ovechkin then rifled home a wrister from the left circle to end a four-game goal drought and give the hosts a 5-1 lead near the midpoint of the second period.
—Oc Register, 5 Jan. 2026
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Josh Eernisse picked the puck out of a faceoff scrum at the right dot and rifled a wrist shot into the top corner to even the score.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Down 0-2 in the count to the Orioles’ Kyle Bradish in his first big league at-bat, Griffin rifled a double to left-center and then used his blazing speed to come around and score on Jared Triolo’s ensuing single to right.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Noel Caliskan played a short pass to the right corner of the penalty area, where Gozo flicked it up in the air and rifled a volley into the net.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
The score stayed that way until Hughes, a New Jersey Devils’ forward, rifled a shot under Binnington’s pads for his fourth score of the tournament, ending both the game and the Games.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
The junior then rifled a cross towards the near post, where a cutting Annabel Grentz headed it into the bottom-right corner, handing the Patriots the 2-1 advantage.
—Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Ovechkin then rifled home a wrister from the left circle to end a four-game goal drought.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Ovechkin then rifled home a wrister from the left circle to end a four-game goal drought and give the hosts a 5-1 lead near the midpoint of the second period.
—Oc Register, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rifled
Verb
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Police previously searched for Hicks at local homeless shelters and encampments, reported The Evening Sun, citing family.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
At the scene, Brown, according to his arrest warrant, was detained and searched.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The bracelets used by Wellstar and Piedmont Augusta have a QR (Quick Response) code that can be scanned with a smartphone or other digital device, giving medical staff access to a patient’s medical records.—
Roni Robbins,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
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Passengers are screened, scanned and checked multiple times before ever stepping onto a plane.—
Shelley Bortz,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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The building is full of character, having at turns been home to a book press, bank, and, most appropriately, the founding headquarters of the Danish Spirit Producers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
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The letter, sent Friday, comes amid a high-stakes legal battle currently playing out in an Oakland federal courtroom between onetime partners Altman and Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, who in 2015 co-founded the AI company best known for creating ChatGPT.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Martha and Tabby cleaned his body, combed his hair, and put a suit of clothes on him, including a shirt made by one of his sisters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
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But one particular area, near the crime scene, still needs to be combed over.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rifled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rifled. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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