as in to search
to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something
combed the library for the missing book
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of comb
One of the Philippines’ strongest quakes in half a century killed at least 37 people, injured hundreds and displaced more than 32,000, as rescuers comb shattered buildings for survivors.
—
Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Instead of combing through dozens of forecasts, users see clear guidance that matches the dates, cities, and timing of their own trip.
—Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026
Searchers combed the land as drone technology and professional divers were deployed, police said in an update.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
Those families who filed complaints are in addition to victims who were identified through hours of video surveillance that investigators combed through, the warrant affidavit said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for comb
Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Instead of combing through dozens of forecasts, users see clear guidance that matches the dates, cities, and timing of their own trip.
—Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026
Searchers combed the land as drone technology and professional divers were deployed, police said in an update.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
Those families who filed complaints are in addition to victims who were identified through hours of video surveillance that investigators combed through, the warrant affidavit said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for comb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comb
Verb
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Investigators are searching for 22-year-old Oscar Sanchez-Munoz after a standoff at a home in the 700 block of Brookside Avenue.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
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At a certain point, letting those structures come apart a little brings you back to spontaneity, to searching, to surprise, and above all, to simplicity.—
Alma Rota,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
Verb
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After severe thunderstorms raked Washington on Friday evening, the Kennedy Center sought one more extension before complying with a noon Saturday deadline.—
Steven Sloan,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
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How To Clean Cotton/Jersey Gardening Gloves Cotton makes a good all-purpose glove for raking leaves and tidying your yard.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
Verb
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After her grandmother died, the family found letters Smith had written home during the war.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
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The sixth skydiver could not exit the plane and was found fatally injured inside.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comb. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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