Synonyms of rummage

rummage 1 of 2

noun

as in jumble

an unorganized collection or mixture of various things

a rummage of textbooks, notebooks, and old school papers all over the desk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jumble
• assortment
• variety
• medley
• collage
• clutter
• scramble
• shuffle
• litter
• miscellanea
• potpourri
• miscellany
• smorgasbord
• salad
• mishmash
• ragbag
• gallimaufry
• blend
• hash
• jungle
• stew
• hodgepodge
• patchwork
• hotchpotch
• amalgam
• mélange
• grab bag
• farrago
• gumbo
• patchwork quilt
• tumble
• mixed bag
• tangle
• pastiche
• salmagundi
• agglomeration
• accumulation
• alphabet soup
• omnium-gatherum
• montage
• menagerie
• jambalaya
• crazy quilt
• ragout
• motley
• botch
• macédoine
• olla podrida
• olio
• combination
• welter
• muddle
• agglomerate
• detritus
• aggregation
• conglomerate
• aggregate
• notions
• conglomeration
• sundries
• oddments
• mess
• fusion
• catchall
• odds and ends
• compound
• disarray
• chaos
• composite
• commixture
• alloy
• disarrangement
• admixture
• morass
• intermixture
• snarl
• disorder
• shambles
• mix-up
• imbroglio
• confusion
• dog's breakfast
• bollix
• knot

rummage

2 of 2

verb

ˈrə-mij 

1

as in to find

to come upon after searching, study, or effort

at the last minute she rummaged a costume from the attic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• find
• discover
• learn
• locate
• get
• ascertain
• detect
• determine
• find out
• track (down)
• run down
• hunt (down or up)
• dredge (up)
• turn up
• dig out
• hit (on or upon)
• dig up
• descry
• ferret (out)
• scout (up)
• rout (out)
• root (out)
• scare up
• sight
• spot
• nose out
• seek
• espy
• search (for or out)
• look for

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• pass over
• overlook
• lose
• misplace
• mislay
• misset

2

as in to search

to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something

he rummaged the desk drawer trying to find the spare keys

Synonyms & Similar Words

• search
• find
• scan
• comb
• scour
• locate
• explore
• rake
• survey
• rifle
• examine
• dredge
• investigate
• ransack
• inspect
• hunt (through)
• dig (through)
• discover
• troll
• sort (through)
• scrutinize
• review
• ascertain
• check (out)
• learn
• detect
• audit
• peruse
• determine
• find out
• track (down)
• browse
• run down
• hit (on or upon)
• prospect
• snoop
• get
• shake down
• frisk
• study
• probe
• poke (around)
• look over
• descry
• ferret (out)
• pat down
• glance (over)
• scare up
• grub (about)
• skirmish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hide
• lose
• abandon
• ignore
• neglect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rummage

Verb

Instead of rummaging through a pile of clothes to find one item, everything stays neatly separated and easy to access. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026

Standing on the step by the front door, her father rummaged in his mouth with his fingers, took out the candy, trailing a thread of saliva, and threw it on the dirt floor. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Madonna is, like Paul McCartney this year, animated by rummaging through her own vaults. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 July 2026

The internal zip pocket kept small valuables, such as my passport, Kindle, and lip balm, accessible without need for rummaging. — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 July 2026