rummaged; rummaging
1
: to make a thorough search or investigation
2
: to engage in an undirected or haphazard search
1
: to make a thorough search through : ransack
rummaged the attic
2
: to examine minutely and completely
3
: to discover by searching
rummager
noun
1
a
: a confused miscellaneous collection
b
: items for sale at a rummage sale
2
: a thorough search especially among a confusion of objects
Synonyms
Verb
- ascertain
- descry
- detect
- determine
- dig out
- dig up
- discover
- dredge (up)
- ferret (out)
- find
- find out
- get
- hit (on or upon)
- hunt (down or up)
- learn
- locate
- nose out
- root (out)
- rout (out)
- run down
- scare up
- scout (up)
- track (down)
- turn up
Noun
- agglomerate
- agglomeration
- alphabet soup
- assortment
- botch
- clutter
- collage
- crazy quilt
- farrago
- gallimaufry
- grab bag
- gumbo
- hash
- hodgepodge
- hotchpotch
- jambalaya
- jumble
- jungle
- litter
- macédoine
- medley
- mélange
- menagerie
- miscellanea
- miscellany
- mishmash
- mixed bag
- montage
- motley
- muddle
- olio
- olla podrida
- omnium-gatherum
- pastiche
- patchwork
- patchwork quilt
- potpourri
- ragbag
- ragout
- salad
- salmagundi
- scramble
- shuffle
- smorgasbord
- stew
- tumble
- variety
- welter
Examples of rummage in a Sentence
Verb
He rummaged through the attic for his baseball card collection.
He rummaged in his pocket for the receipt.
I heard you rummaging around in the refrigerator.
Noun
a rummage of textbooks, notebooks, and old school papers all over the desk
Recent Examples on the Web
Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 17 Oct. 2024
The last thing any traveler wants is to be stopped by TSA and have your belongings rummaged through.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2024
Kris Holt, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
Another, a little farther west, rummages through trash cans in Pacific Palisades.
—Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rummage 
Verb
Extra perks included a pair of Air Jordan sneakers for each guest, a chance to rummage through a closet filled with stylish outfits, and turntables to channel your inner DJ Jazzy Jeff.
—Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 17 Oct. 2024
The last thing any traveler wants is to be stopped by TSA and have your belongings rummaged through.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2024
Noun
Today’s groups are... Yellow group — rummage Green group — sounds of thunder
Blue group — ways to wear your hair up
Purple group — things that can have leaves
What Are Today’s Connections Answers?
Spoiler alert!
—Kris Holt, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
Another, a little farther west, rummages through trash cans in Pacific Palisades.
—Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rummage
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rummage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rummage
Cite this Entry
“Rummage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rummage. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rummage
1 of 2 verb
rum·mage
ˈrəm-ij 
rummaged; rummaging
: to make an active search especially by moving, turning, or looking through the contents of a place or container
rummaging through the attic
rummage
2 of 2 noun
: a confused miscellaneous collection of articles
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