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
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
This sleek, clear bag makes the liquids rule effortless, so, no more rummaging at security or awkwardly unpacking mid-line.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Inicat Leather Crossbody Bag, $16 with Prime Airports can feel chaotic, and so can rummaging through your bag to find your wallet, ID, and cash.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 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
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
This sleek, clear bag makes the liquids rule effortless, so, no more rummaging at security or awkwardly unpacking mid-line.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Inicat Leather Crossbody Bag, $16 with Prime Airports can feel chaotic, and so can rummaging through your bag to find your wallet, ID, and cash.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rummaging
Verb
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The series chronicles three New Yorkers who come together over their love of true crime podcasts and end up finding themselves at the center of more than a few true crimes.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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At least in the interim, Duke deserves credit for finding ways to win despite some of its defensive deficiencies.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rescuers retrieved eight people alive and were searching for the missing still trapped after a huge mound of garbage and debris collapsed on them in the village of Binaliw in Cebu city, police said.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Wednesday that it had been notified that teams had recommenced searching for Ran Gvili.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Though the first installment, based on books by Stephenie Meyer, was released in 2008, the franchise found new fans in younger TikTok users who were just discovering it for the first time.—
Natalie Bennett,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
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Sacramento County health inspectors closed a local Asian restaurant, indoor soccer business and a market after discovering live German cockroaches, operating without a valid health permit and other food safety violations.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The two never spoke again, with April learning about his 2005 death from the radio, as did her siblings, Stacy Paul and Stephanie Winchell.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
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But learning to elicit a resilient response, instead, can transform the negative effects of stress and allow someone to evolve in a healthier way.—
Tara Narula,
Time,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After locating handgun ammunition in the SUV, Burbank PD used a helicopter and police dog named Spike to locate Alas along a steep embankment along the freeway.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Officials have requested the public's help in locating the two men, and also shared CCTV footage showing what the men were wearing on New Year’s Day.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Steele briefly considered taking a year off and perhaps getting into broadcasting, but that notion didn’t last long.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Doctors say not getting a vitamin K shot puts babies at risk of severe bleeding.—
Dr. Jade Cobern,
ABC News,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rummaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rummaging. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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