1
as in finding
to come upon after searching, study, or effort
at the last minute she rummaged a costume from the attic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in searching
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rummaging
At this point the franchise’s decision makers might need to start exploring free agent options, and rummaging through the waiver wire to fortify this unit because depth, and the experience level of the cornerback unit, remains a major concern heading into the regular season.
—
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
Throughout, her signature dusky vocal leads listeners through a complex tapestry of sounds, rummaging through styles and genres, without ever abandoning her musical core.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 11 Aug. 2025
He's known to sneak off to the recycling bin on the regular, rummaging through the recyclables to find his favorite brew.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
Scott and Keely Wooster are familiar – maybe too familiar – with a couple non-hibernating black bears that regularly visit their home in the hills northwest of Redding, California, rummaging through the trash cans and raiding their pets' food dishes.
—Damon Arthur, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Stock Up Keeping all the essentials out in the open can help guests avoid rummaging through the cabinets and closets looking for items like a bath towel or tissues.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2024
No more rummaging through your bag to find that one ring or back of an earring!
—Gabriella Maestri, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
Hours later, Tavares showed up to a Suisun City home where the woman and another local artist were hanging out, and began rummaging around the home in search of a pistol.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024
Last year, Woodward went to a storage facility and began rummaging through his files in search of the lost interview.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2024
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
Throughout, her signature dusky vocal leads listeners through a complex tapestry of sounds, rummaging through styles and genres, without ever abandoning her musical core.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 11 Aug. 2025
He's known to sneak off to the recycling bin on the regular, rummaging through the recyclables to find his favorite brew.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025
Scott and Keely Wooster are familiar – maybe too familiar – with a couple non-hibernating black bears that regularly visit their home in the hills northwest of Redding, California, rummaging through the trash cans and raiding their pets' food dishes.
—Damon Arthur, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Stock Up Keeping all the essentials out in the open can help guests avoid rummaging through the cabinets and closets looking for items like a bath towel or tissues.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2024
No more rummaging through your bag to find that one ring or back of an earring!
—Gabriella Maestri, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
Hours later, Tavares showed up to a Suisun City home where the woman and another local artist were hanging out, and began rummaging around the home in search of a pistol.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024
Last year, Woodward went to a storage facility and began rummaging through his files in search of the lost interview.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rummaging
Verb
-
His eyes darted around, finding nowhere to rest.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Facing one of these situations late in the quarter, Hartman bought time scrambling to his right before finding Brown behind the defense on the sideline for a 38-yard pass to the 9-yard line.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Authorities are still searching for those responsible.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Who isn't searching for Japan travel?—
Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But discovering the addresses was only half the problem.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety Beau Mason said that authorities had used the footage to track the suspect's movements, which led to them discovering a firearm believed to have been used in the attack.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Appreciation means valuing the struggle of learning, not despite its difficulty but because of it.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Laura is frantic about saving Daniel after learning Cherry pushed her father from a construction site, fracturing his spine in two places.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Milwaukee police are seeking the public's help in locating a critically missing 11-year-old girl.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The immediate priority for law enforcement is locating and apprehending the suspect who should be considered armed and dangerous.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
So, Hilleary will be in the odd position of facing a significant pay cut for getting a big promotion on Capitol Hill.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
How would Trump react to his administration now getting to decide the fate of CNN?—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rummaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rummaging. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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