Definitions

rummage

[ruhm-ij] / ˈrʌm ɪdʒ /

VERB

ransack, search

Synonyms

STRONGEST

comb forage poke scour

STRONG

delve disarrange disarray disorder disorganize disrupt disturb examine explore fish grub hunt jumble rake root seek shake spy toss

WEAK

beat the bushes dig out ferret out leave no stone unturned look high and low mess up mix up search high heaven shake down turn inside out turn upside down

Antonyms

STRONG

arrange calm cover neaten neglect order organize soothe systematize

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.

General warrants and writs of assistance enraged the colonies precisely because they allowed British officials to rummage through homes and businesses without individualized suspicion.

From Slate • May 20, 2026

We also watched a nurse rummage through a medical waste disposal box without sterile gloves.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

The Dominican nuns who run the kitchen prepare food for about 80 elderly or destitute people -- growing numbers of Cubans are forced to rummage through garbage bins for food -- each day.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

To our benefit, Lewis and Tolkien weren’t content to rummage around for these ideals in dust-covered parchment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

“Don’t sweat it, lad. It happens to the best of us from time to time,” he turned away and began to rummage through his bundles.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Vocabulary lists containing rummage

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

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The Hate U Give

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

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