Synonyms of rifling

rifling

verb

present participle of rifle

as in searching

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• searching
• scanning
• combing
• finding
• raking
• surveying
• rummaging
• scouring
• dredging
• trolling
• locating
• examining
• exploring
• investigating
• hunting (through)
• ransacking
• sorting (through)
• digging (through)
• inspecting
• discovering
• probing
• detecting
• ascertaining
• learning
• auditing
• scrutinizing
• reviewing
• snooping
• tracking (down)
• frisking
• determining
• prospecting
• checking (out)
• running down
• hitting (on or upon)
• finding out
• browsing
• patting down
• studying
• ferreting (out)
• shaking down
• perusing
• getting
• poking (around)
• skirmishing
• looking over
• glancing (over)
• descrying
• grubbing (about)
• scaring up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hiding
• losing
• ignoring
• abandoning
• neglecting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rifling

Mbow Dem got the ball near the right corner of the box, shook Miami right back Gonzalo Lujan before taking a few dribbles to his left and rifling a shot into the left corner of the goal. — Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

In Crystal Palace’s recent 2-2 away draw with Besiktas in the Europa League, the Frenchman intelligently read a backpass from defender Tiago Djalo before shrugging off a challenge and rifling the ball into the top corner. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Minutes later, Kryou responded, cutting to the middle before rifling a quick shot past Jakub Dobes. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

On solo trips, there’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere and rifling through a mess of clothes; these cubes keep everything organized from lift‑off to landing. — Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026

Who better to tell the tale of the city than the man who has spent years rifling through its junk? — Michael Schaub, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

Adding to the chaos of the moment, Courtney encountered a bear rifling through the garbage outside. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026

Restaurant workers saw Wyatt rifling through the vehicle, taking things out and looking for something to steal, Batista said. — Nicole Hensley, Houston Chronicle, 2 Jan. 2026

Heise worked her way into the left faceoff circle before rifling a shot just under the crossbar to give the Frost the win and keep Vancouver winless on the road. — CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025