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
This scary incident comes days after a Connecticut mother came home to find a wild bear rummaging through her house while her sleeping daughter was inside.
—
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
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
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rummaging
Verb
-
Iamaleava piloted an offense that looked reborn, finding 42 reasons to believe again.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Culinary skills aside, he’s proven a quick study finding who the power brokers are here and has been working closely with them.—
Carol Cain,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the Atacama Desert, a young woman dreams of becoming an astronaut while investigating her mother’s mysterious death and searching for the father who abandoned her.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The location was one of several that the company explored when searching for a spot in the city.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What's your process for discovering which types of topics or stories will appeal to our search audience?—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Sacramento County health inspectors gave the Sacramento liquor store a yellow placard after discovering a frog in a sink and cockroaches in various spots.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The line in Swift's song and The Life of a Showgirl's cover art appears to be inspired by a Victorian-era painting that depicts the scene in Hamlet when Ophelia goes crazy and falls into a stream and drowns after learning Hamlet killed her father.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
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Whether kids are learning tricks, competing with friends, or just marveling at the floating string, ZipString delivers the perfect mix of science, wonder and fun.—
Emily Glover,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The investigation into his flight to avoid prosecution was conducted by the FBI Indianapolis’ Violent Crime Task Force as part of Operation No Escape, which focuses on locating and arresting violent fugitives.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
29 Sep. 2025
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Drones are also very effective at locating and detecting bears.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That led to millions more people getting coverage, some of whom paid little or nothing, and more plans being offered.—
Todd Spangler,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Now, its most iconic silhouettes from the archive are getting a new lease on life — just in time to the brand’s 120th anniversary.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rummaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rummaging. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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