Showing results for ferret. Search instead for ferre.

Definitions

ferret

[fer-it] / ˈfɛr ɪt /

NOUN

prier

Synonyms

WEAK

busybody butt-in detective eavesdropper gumshoe meddler peeping Tom pryer quidnunc rubbernecker sleuth snooper

NOUN

snoop

Synonyms

STRONG

busybody detective eavesdropper gumshoe meddler quidnunc scout sleuth snooper

WEAK

butt-in peeping Tom pryer

NOUN

snooper

Synonyms

STRONG

busybody detective eavesdropper gumshoe meddler quidnunc scout sleuth

WEAK

butt-in peeping Tom prier pryer

VERB

grub

Synonyms

STRONG

beat break burrow clean clear comb delve excavate forage hunt poke prepare probe rake ransack root rummage scour search shovel spade unearth uproot

WEAK

fine-tooth-comb pull up

Antonyms

STRONG

cover fill ignore neglect

WEAK

hide

VERB

ransack

Synonyms

STRONGEST

comb gut loot pillage plunder raid rob scour seize take away

STRONG

appropriate despoil explore filch hunt investigate lift maraud overhaul peer pilfer pinch poach probe pry purloin rake rape ravish rifle rummage rustle sack scan scrutinize search seek sound spoil spy steal strip thieve

WEAK

go over with a fine-tooth comb go through lay waste leave no stone unturned look all over for look high and low look into make off with shake down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

give offer protect receive

STRONG

find ignore neglect order organize

WEAK

care for clean neaten tidy

VERB

root

Synonyms

STRONGEST

embed ingrain

STRONG

burrow delve forage grub hunt lodge nose place poke pry rummage

WEAK

grub up

Antonyms

STRONG

cover dislodge leave alone

VERB

scout

Synonyms

STRONGEST

examine explore inspect

STRONG

case hunt observe probe reconnoiter search seek spot spy survey watch

WEAK

have a look-see look for run reconnaissance rustle up set eyes on stake out take in track down

Antonyms

STRONG

find ignore neglect overlook

WEAK

shun

VERB

Synonyms

STRONGEST

check comb examine explore go through hunt hunt for inspect investigate look probe ransack scan scour scout scrutinize seek sift

STRONG

beat forage frisk grope grub inquire prospect pry quest rake root rummage study

WEAK

beat about cast about chase after go in quest of go over with a fine-tooth comb gun for leave no stone unturned look for look high and low look over poke into rifle through run down shake down smell around track down turn inside out turn upside down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore neglect overlook

STRONG

cover

WEAK

find

VERB

unearth

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ascertain bring to light determine discover dredge up excavate exhibit exhume expose find find out reveal uncover

STRONG

delve disinter hear learn root see show spark spotlight strike uproot

WEAK

catch on hit upon see the light stumble on turn up unbury

Antonyms

STRONGEST

conceal cover hide lose miss pass by suppress

STRONG

ignore overlook

WEAK

bury

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.

The ferret is thought to have been brought in deliberately in the 1980s to control pests.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

They’re all law-abiding people, and this directive ostensibly aims to ferret out terrorists and criminals.

From Slate • Dec. 17, 2025

The modern discipline of psychology would ferret out the private motives of regular and refined collectors alike.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

We will ferret out students who protest against my policies.

From Salon • Oct. 18, 2025

The German Shepherds used to ferret out people in hiding were barking ferociously.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson

ferret

Example Sentences

Related Words