Synonyms of scour

scour

verb

as in to search

to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something

the police scoured the city for the Typhoid Mary of this latest epidemic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• search
• find
• scan
• locate
• comb
• explore
• examine
• investigate
• rake
• dredge
• survey
• rummage
• ransack
• inspect
• discover
• rifle
• hunt (through)
• dig (through)
• sort (through)
• troll
• scrutinize
• ascertain
• determine
• detect
• review
• learn
• check (out)
• peruse
• find out
• browse
• audit
• track (down)
• run down
• probe
• get
• prospect
• study
• hit (on or upon)
• descry
• poke (around)
• pat down
• shake down
• glance (over)
• frisk
• ferret (out)
• snoop
• look over
• scare up
• grub (about)
• skirmish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hide
• lose
• abandon
• ignore
• neglect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scour

Nearly half of the bear incidents in 2025 occurred in August, September and October, as the animals scoured for calories, CPW said. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026

Imraan is still waiting on their fake ID from their cousin in Pakistan, so Georgia scours Snapchat for alcohol opportunities. — Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026

Fossil collectors report finding the teeth in coastal rivers or along seafloor ledges that have been scoured by storms and currents. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026

As support for Israel becomes more and more polarizing in elections everywhere, the nation’s leaders are scouring the world for allies. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

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