RUMMAGING Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

rummaging

verb

present participle of rummage

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

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 Instead of rummaging through a pile of clothes to find one item, everything stays neatly separated and easy to access. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026 Madonna is, like Paul McCartney this year, animated by rummaging through her own vaults. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 July 2026 The internal zip pocket kept small valuables, such as my passport, Kindle, and lip balm, accessible without need for rummaging. — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 July 2026 His parents were rummaging around upstairs somewhere. — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 25 June 2026 The cross-stitch border gives this kilim rug the feel of an heirloom piece–without the effort of rummaging through an estate sale. — Briana Feigon, Architectural Digest, 17 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rummaging

Verb

His best option was finding a living donor for a kidney transplant.

— Joe Donlon, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
The Shelton of 2025 who scrapped out wins by scrambling along the baseline and finding a way has evolved into a more assertive player.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of finding

Verb

Some are moving to 2027, others are still searching for a distributor and a few need more time in the edit bay.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
Writing my memoir, Don’t Be Evil, sent me searching for a broader explanation of how Silicon Valley became so powerful, so deeply distrusted, and still so difficult to meaningfully challenge.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of searching

Verb

Upon discovering the tagging, staff staff and equipment were mobilized to remove the markings from the municipal sidewalks through cleaning and power washing, the statement says.

— Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Upon discovering that a nurse at the clinic was stealing vast amounts of fentanyl, Gabby seeks out other victims and leads a groundbreaking legal battle against Yale University.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of discovering

Verb

And staying socially and mentally engaged by participating in hobbies, learning new skills, and maintaining relationships with family and friends are all ways to keep the body and brain active.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
The courses, Cristerna said, would have been useful in learning how to negotiate brand deals, maximize monetization opportunities and cultivate and keep an audience.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of learning

Verb

The Olathe Police Department is seeking public assistance in locating a missing man who was last seen walking along 123rd Street Monday.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026
The Gwinnett County Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating 17-year-old Deaniyka Body, who jumped from a moving vehicle that was transporting her only two weeks ago, police say.

— CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of locating

Verb

In a desperate attempt to avoid getting their fingers caught in the cookie jar, there is a pell-mell sprint toward finding a watermark removal app that can yank out the digital watermarks.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
The administration has almost always characterized Iran never getting a nuclear weapon as the overriding concern.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of getting

Browse Nearby Words

rummage sales

rummaging

rummies

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Style

“Rummaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rummaging. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of rummaging

verb

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