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
Videos went viral of bears rummaging through supermarket aisles and roaming school grounds, setting local communities on edge.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
The first Newton to appear in the series in Season 3 came courtesy of some rummaging through eBay, where Mengual found a few real Newtons still in good condition.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 June 2026
Ferrier saw Frost rummaging through his car and ran outside and into the middle of the street, charges say.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Tangled charging cords and rummaging through your bag mid-flight are problems this little organizer pouch completely eliminates.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
Clip-On Earrings When rummaging through a grandmother's jewelry box, you're almost guaranteed to stumble upon a pair of clip-on earrings.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Elderly people walk the streets alone —some rummaging through trash, others standing in long lines for the bread and rice provided by the ration book, the basic subsidized foods the state guarantees to every Cuban.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Sporting a classic look that doesn’t feel overly old-fashioned, the medium wood tone and exposed grain feeds into the illusion of a true antique find (without the work of rummaging through an estate sale catalogue).
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2026
Digital rummaging tests would protect against this idea of over-broad and expansive surveillance.
—ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2026
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
The first Newton to appear in the series in Season 3 came courtesy of some rummaging through eBay, where Mengual found a few real Newtons still in good condition.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 June 2026
Ferrier saw Frost rummaging through his car and ran outside and into the middle of the street, charges say.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Tangled charging cords and rummaging through your bag mid-flight are problems this little organizer pouch completely eliminates.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
Clip-On Earrings When rummaging through a grandmother's jewelry box, you're almost guaranteed to stumble upon a pair of clip-on earrings.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Elderly people walk the streets alone —some rummaging through trash, others standing in long lines for the bread and rice provided by the ration book, the basic subsidized foods the state guarantees to every Cuban.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Sporting a classic look that doesn’t feel overly old-fashioned, the medium wood tone and exposed grain feeds into the illusion of a true antique find (without the work of rummaging through an estate sale catalogue).
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2026
Digital rummaging tests would protect against this idea of over-broad and expansive surveillance.
—ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rummaging
Verb
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Another problem is the difficulty older Americans have in finding new jobs.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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In the 10th minute, Neil El Aynaoui pilfered the ball from Ryan Christie, then nearly capitalized on the ensuing counterattack, finding free space in front of an open net but overrunning Azzedine Ounahi’s cross.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Rescue teams began searching for the daredevil and found his body about three feet below the crater's water surface after rescue efforts that lasted about four and a half hours.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
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Across the country, workers who once expected to rely entirely on traditional employment are now searching for something more stable, flexible, and lasting.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Lauzon said artists have reported new customers showing up to their art fairs after discovering their work through the machine, and some have landed larger commissions as a result.—
Ray Campos,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
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From Japanese fans discovering barbecue to the Scots making a pilgrimage to Buc-ee's, the love all these foreign visitors keep showing to America is heartwarming, to say the least.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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His 3-year-old son Sonny is learning to swing a fat plastic bat, all while working on his launch angle.—
Barry Svrluga,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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On April 18, 2025, immigration officers went to the Milwaukee County courthouse after learning Flores-Ruiz had reentered the country illegally and was scheduled to appear before Dugan for a hearing in a state battery case.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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New London police shared information about the vehicle to other area departments in the hopes of locating it, police said.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2026
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Los Angeles Police Department detectives are seeking help locating a hit-and-run driver who killed a pedestrian in North Hollywood on Thursday.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Tim Hill plunked pinch-hitter Jacob Gonzalez and Tristan Peters with pitches before getting an out.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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But the Royals produced an avalanche of offense, with every starter getting into the act.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rummaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rummaging. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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