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
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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
Wired headphones, chargers, and adapters go here, so you’ll never be stuck rummaging through a tote bag for an EU-compatible plug at the gate again.
—
Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
Nervous hands rummaging for tissues in handbags, sweaty embraces, last words of advice—and then, we were gone.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Almost immediately the gunman went rummaging through a small tackle box beneath his chair while the other man passed an unlabeled liter of clear liquid to Adi.
—Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Instead of rummaging through containers and bags of food, stackable refrigerator bins are our favorite way to make everything easy to find and reach.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
Jansen Prosecutors describe challenges organizing Epstein evidence Federal prosecutors describe the same problems searching through electronic documents in the Epstein case as casual observers have found rummaging through the records the Justice Department released.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Videos of bears rummaging through supermarket aisles, roaming school grounds and plucking persimmons from suburban backyards have gone viral on Japanese social media.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
In one of the scenes, Kevin takes advantage of being alone in the house and starts rummaging through his big brother Buzz's belongings.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025
Dogs around Delhi usually mind their business, which includes basking in the sun, rummaging through trash for food or chasing away rats.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2025
Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
Nervous hands rummaging for tissues in handbags, sweaty embraces, last words of advice—and then, we were gone.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Almost immediately the gunman went rummaging through a small tackle box beneath his chair while the other man passed an unlabeled liter of clear liquid to Adi.
—Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Instead of rummaging through containers and bags of food, stackable refrigerator bins are our favorite way to make everything easy to find and reach.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
Jansen Prosecutors describe challenges organizing Epstein evidence Federal prosecutors describe the same problems searching through electronic documents in the Epstein case as casual observers have found rummaging through the records the Justice Department released.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025
Videos of bears rummaging through supermarket aisles, roaming school grounds and plucking persimmons from suburban backyards have gone viral on Japanese social media.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
In one of the scenes, Kevin takes advantage of being alone in the house and starts rummaging through his big brother Buzz's belongings.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025
Dogs around Delhi usually mind their business, which includes basking in the sun, rummaging through trash for food or chasing away rats.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rummaging
Verb
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However, in the overtime period, Enriquez got his chance, finding the net to give the Cobras the golden goal in transition to win 2-1 over the Raptors.—
Breven Honda,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Board President Lynn Zeder emphasized the board and administrative staff have made progress toward finding a way to add the language to its curriculum.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In contrast, the war with Iran sent investors searching for havens like gold but did little to dim corporate earnings prospects.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
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The Pentagon is searching for a new way to move supplies through dangerous coastal waters.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The California Department of Water Resources conducted its third snow survey in El Dorado County on Friday, discovering the site is at 47% of average for the Phillips Station location.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
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News of the new Tubi/Black List partnership comes following their work together on To Be Commissioned, an initiative focused on discovering, developing and producing five original films from up-and-coming, underrepresented writers.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Through service, mentorship, and sisterhood, the Ivy Rosettes are learning to lead and to give back.—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Denver’s low-snow winter won’t delay Waymo’s opening of robotaxi service to riders later this year, company officials said this week, because their AI machine-learning system draws data from other cities that had heavier snowfall.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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BlueWhale also supports mine countermeasures by locating sea mines on the seabed, expanding its operational utility across multiple mission sets.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
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And yet locating the synths on The Mirror can feel like combing through the jungle for the lost city of Zinj.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Being in my late 50s, getting cosmetic treatments to tackle sagginess, wrinkles, fine lines, and a dull complexion has certainly crossed my mind.—
Cathy Nelson,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
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French figure skater Lorine Schild is getting two French braids pulled back into a low bun.—
Katie Gunderman,
SELF,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rummaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rummaging. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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