rummage
verb (used with object)
to search thoroughly or actively through (a place, receptacle, etc.), especially by moving around, turning over, or looking through contents.
have been rummaging
-
present perfect progressiveof rummage.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
But now, based on conversations with neighbors who saw similar episodes, she thinks the boy may have been rummaging for food.
From New York Times ● Jan. 18, 2018
Here these pesky girls have been rummaging my boxes, and putting on my best chignons that pa sent me only yesterday.
From The Universal Reciter 81 Choice Pieces of Rare Poetical Gems by Various
A movement upstairs disturbed him, and Henchard came down from his bedroom, where he seemed to have been rummaging boxes.
From The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy
"Yes," he said, "some one seems to have been rummaging about."
From The Vanished Messenger by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim
The bears must have been rummaging finely here while we slept.
From Farthest North Being the Record of a Voyage of Exploration of the Ship 'Fram' 1893-1896 by Fridtjof Nansen
