cast about

verb

cast about; casting about; casts about

intransitive verb

: to look around : seek

cast about for a seat

transitive verb

: to lay plans concerning : contrive

cast about how he was to go

Synonyms of cast about

• pursue
• seek
• shop (for)
• chase (down)
• search (for or out)

Examples of cast about in a Sentence

cast about for an answer to the question of why so many people had ignored the victim's cries for help

Recent Examples on the Web

In August 2025, the Star-Telegram visited the show’s set to chat with the cast about season 6, which will cover the crucifixion. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026

As for the 300 claim, there don't appear to be any stories from the cast about a rock-in-the-underpants portion of the auditions. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026

Edmonton has been casting about for a player like him since Ryan McLeod was dealt to the Buffalo Sabres in July 2024. —Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026

In Sunday’s episode, the season’s penultimate, Whitney is casting about for an exit strategy and fails. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for cast about

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout

Kids Definition

cast about

verb

: to look around here and there : seek