What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rummaging
Example
She was rummaging through her purse looking for her keys. [rummaging: verb]
Example
He spent hours rummaging through old files trying to find the missing document. [rummaging: present participle]
ransack
Example
The burglars ransacked the house, leaving everything in disarray. [ransacked: past tense]
Example
The police had to ransack the suspect's apartment to find the evidence they needed. [ransack: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rummaging is more commonly used than ransacking in everyday language. Rummaging is a common word used to describe a search through a collection of items, while ransacking is a less common word that is usually reserved for more extreme situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between rummaging and ransack?
While rummaging is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, ransacking is more formal and is usually used in more serious or legal contexts.
