rifling

[rahy-fling] / ˈraɪ flɪŋ /

VERB

ransack

Synonyms

STRONGEST

rip

STRONG

burglarize burgle despoil grab gut loot pillage plunder rob rummage sack strip take trash waste

WEAK

go through rip off smash and grab tip over

Antonyms

STRONG

build give offer protect receive save

WEAK

order organize

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.

Who better to tell the tale of the city than the man who has spent years rifling through its junk?

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

But she has deep knowledge of women’s pay: As an economist, she spent years rifling through boxes of surveys and personnel records and tracking down data to document women’s changing role in the workplace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Jovic stuck the knife in with four minutes remaining, rifling home a powerful low finish which gave the hosts a margin of victory which didn't truly reflect the balance of play.

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

One by one the Aberdeen men held their nerve, not just scoring but rifling in their penalties with an authority.

From BBC • May 24, 2025

Hana’s smile gets wide, but then she looks at me like I caught her rifling through Momma’s purse, and she frowns at me.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée