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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rummaging
Digital rummaging tests would protect against this idea of over-broad and expansive surveillance.
—
ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2026
Tangled charging cords and rummaging through your bag mid-flight are problems this little organizer pouch completely eliminates.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2026
The song progresses as the video shows scenes of deputies rummaging through the rapper's possessions, including several coats in a closet and CDs stacked near a stereo.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
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
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
ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2026
Tangled charging cords and rummaging through your bag mid-flight are problems this little organizer pouch completely eliminates.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2026
The song progresses as the video shows scenes of deputies rummaging through the rapper's possessions, including several coats in a closet and CDs stacked near a stereo.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rummaging
Verb
-
The whole thing was a sign that the college is still finding its footing.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Throughout the renovation, approximately 90% of furniture, mattresses, lighting and artwork from previous guestrooms were resold and diverted from landfills, finding new homes across the United States.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Celtics won by 32 and Philly will be searching for answers.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
For a team that has spent much of the season searching for consistency and identity, this was something new.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There can be a lot of joy in discovering who your partner is becoming and falling in love with that person, too.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Councilmembers Kathleen Treseder and Mai raised concerns about the briefings after discovering last month that Agran was briefed first on the budget issue, and as part of that conversation, asked the city manager to research polling on possible local taxes.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
McNeil-Warren would be well-served to spend a year learning how to play the safety position behind a guy like Byard.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Here are a few more things Day enjoys learning about, listening to, and playing with her daughter.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Inside the Chicago city limits, that toll-free number will connect you to the city’s utility locating program.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Spotting a fungus or an insect is more challenging than locating a weed, and the company needs some technical improvements to be able to automatically eliminate those problems in the field.—
Tyler Jett,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Best Amazon Garden and Outdoor Deals Embrace the warmer weather by getting your outdoor space situated.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The first is that the élite obsession with shaping national politics, and with getting candidates elected, is a distraction.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rummaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rummaging. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
