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Definitions

ferret

[fer-it] / ˈfɛr ɪt /
NOUN
prier
Synonyms
WEAK
busybody butt-in detective eavesdropper gumshoe meddler peeping Tom pryer quidnunc rubbernecker sleuth snooper
NOUN
snoop
Synonyms
STRONG
busybody detective eavesdropper gumshoe meddler quidnunc scout sleuth snooper
WEAK
butt-in peeping Tom pryer
NOUN
snooper
Synonyms
STRONG
busybody detective eavesdropper gumshoe meddler quidnunc scout sleuth
WEAK
butt-in peeping Tom prier pryer
VERB
grub
Synonyms
STRONG
beat break burrow clean clear comb delve excavate forage hunt poke prepare probe rake ransack root rummage scour search shovel spade unearth uproot
WEAK
fine-tooth-comb pull up
Antonyms
STRONG
cover fill ignore neglect
WEAK
hide
VERB
ransack
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comb gut loot pillage plunder raid rob scour seize take away
STRONG
appropriate despoil explore filch hunt investigate lift maraud overhaul peer pilfer pinch poach probe pry purloin rake rape ravish rifle rummage rustle sack scan scrutinize search seek sound spoil spy steal strip thieve
WEAK
go over with a fine-tooth comb go through lay waste leave no stone unturned look all over for look high and low look into make off with shake down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
give offer protect receive
STRONG
find ignore neglect order organize
WEAK
care for clean neaten tidy
VERB
root
Synonyms
STRONGEST
embed ingrain
STRONG
burrow delve forage grub hunt lodge nose place poke pry rummage
WEAK
grub up
Antonyms
STRONG
cover dislodge leave alone
VERB
scout
Synonyms
STRONGEST
examine explore inspect
STRONG
case hunt observe probe reconnoiter search seek spot spy survey watch
WEAK
have a look-see look for run reconnaissance rustle up set eyes on stake out take in track down
Antonyms
STRONG
find ignore neglect overlook
WEAK
shun
VERB
search
Synonyms
STRONGEST
check comb examine explore go through hunt hunt for inspect investigate look probe ransack scan scour scout scrutinize seek sift
STRONG
beat forage frisk grope grub inquire prospect pry quest rake root rummage study
WEAK
beat about cast about chase after go in quest of go over with a fine-tooth comb gun for leave no stone unturned look for look high and low look over poke into rifle through run down shake down smell around track down turn inside out turn upside down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignore neglect overlook
STRONG
cover
WEAK
find
VERB
unearth
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ascertain bring to light determine discover dredge up excavate exhibit exhume expose find find out reveal uncover
STRONG
delve disinter hear learn root see show spark spotlight strike uproot
WEAK
catch on hit upon see the light stumble on turn up unbury
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conceal cover hide lose miss pass by suppress
STRONG
ignore overlook
WEAK
bury

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The ferret is thought to have been brought in deliberately in the 1980s to control pests.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Such information can be hard enough to ferret out in democracies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

They’re all law-abiding people, and this directive ostensibly aims to ferret out terrorists and criminals.

From Slate • Dec. 17, 2025

We will ferret out students who protest against my policies.

From Salon • Oct. 18, 2025

Before, when Enrique told her he was clean, she could ferret out the truth for herself.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.