Scavenge: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when describing the act of searching for or collecting items, typically in a way that suggests desperation or survival. Often associated with animals or people looking for food or resources in trash or discarded materials.

• The vulture scavenged for food among the carcasses.
• During the apocalypse, people had to scavenge for supplies to survive.

Refers to searching through things in a disorderly or hurried way, often suggesting disorganization or looking for something lost.

• He rummaged through the drawer to find his keys.
• They rummaged through the old boxes in the attic looking for memories.

Mostly used to describe searching for food, especially plants or small animals, in a natural environment. It is often related to animals or humans living off the land.

• The deer foraged for berries in the forest.
• They had to forage for edible plants during their hiking trip.

A general term for looking for something, whether methodically or randomly; usually indicates a purposeful attempt to find something specific.

• The police searched the area for clues.
• I need to search for my missing book.

Implies actively pursuing or tracking animals or prey, often with the intention of capturing or killing them. Can also be used metaphorically for searching hard for something specific.

• The lion hunts its prey with stealth and precision.
• She spent weeks hunting for the perfect job.

Typically used when talking about searching for and collecting usable items from discarded or abandoned materials. It often implies desperation or necessity.

• The stray dog had to scavenge for food in the garbage bins.
• Survivors of the shipwreck tried to scavenge supplies from the remains.

Used when talking about thoroughly cleaning something to remove dirt, toxins, or impurities. It can also have a spiritual or emotional connotation, meaning to purify or heal emotional or spiritual states.

• She wanted to cleanse her face before going to bed.
• Meditation can help cleanse the mind of stress.

Usually refers to making something pure, free from contaminants or pollutants. It is often used in the context of water, air, or even moral and spiritual purity.

• The goal is to purify the drinking water by removing harmful bacteria.
• Rituals were performed to purify the temple.

Often used when discussing the process of removing unwanted particles or impurities from a liquid, gas, or other materials. It is also used in digital contexts to describe the process of sorting data or content.

• The water filter needs to be replaced every six months.
• You can filter your search results to show only the most relevant matches.

A general term referring to taking something away from a place or position. It can be used in many contexts, including physical, digital, or abstract.

• Please remove your shoes before entering the house.
• They had to remove outdated files from the computer.