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.
was rummaging
-
past progressiveof rummage.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Larry Villescas, 52, was rummaging through what was left of his home.
From BBC ● Jan. 11, 2025
Reyes was rummaging through the crawl space in the basement of his late father-in-law’s home when he found some loose pennies held together by disintegrating paper rolls.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2023
Ryan Donato was rummaging around the crease for Adam Larsson’s rebound and put it back 2:38 into the game.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 25, 2022
“As the months rolled by, he would call me up and say, ‘Oh Kai, I was rummaging around in this closet in my house in Cambridge and found another box of Oppenheimer material.’
From Washington Post ● Oct. 8, 2021
More than that: I had climbed aboard and was rummaging through the locker, feverishly looking for an idea that would save my life.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
