seek

verb

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\ ˈsēk

sought\ ˈsȯt

\; seeking

Definition of seek

transitive verb

1 : to resort to : go to

2a : to go in search of : look for

b : to try to discover

3 : to ask for : request seeks advice

4 : to try to acquire or gain : aim at seek fame

5 : to make an attempt : try —used with to and an infinitive governments … seek to keep the bulk of their people contented— D. M. Potter

intransitive verb

1 : to make a search or inquiry

2a : to be sought

b : to be lacking in critical judgment … they were sadly to seek — The Times Literary Supplement (London)

Other Words from seek Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing seek Learn More About seek

Examples of seek in a Sentence

The office is seeking a salesperson. The prince is seeking a wife. Snakes seek the sun to warm their bodies. You should visit your doctor and seek his advice. You should seek medical help immediately if you experience any chest pain or shortness of breath. The church is seeking donations. He sought revenge for his son's murder. During the war, she sought asylum in Spain. They sought refuge in Canada. The company is seeking new ways to improve service. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Patients seek relief from drug prices:Will the Inflation Reduction Act deliver? — Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2022 Authorization for those fees on companies which seek authorization from the FDA for new drugs must be renewed every five years. — Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2022 But museums and awards, which seek to commemorate and memorialize are, in some ways, antithetical to the spirit of Nengudi’s work — at least according to Nengudi. — Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2022 Yet this film’s strong proto-feminist stance, in which two young women seek new, urban lives in Budapest while regularly battling loutish men, proves its biggest draw. — David Mermelstein, WSJ, 24 Sep. 2022 But museums and awards, which seek to commemorate and memorialize are, in some ways, antithetical to the spirit of Nengudi’s work—at least according to Nengudi. — Kelsey Ables, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Sep. 2022 With the starting gun in the 2024 White House race firing after the conclusion of November’s elections, questions persist whether the 79-year-old Biden will seek a second term as president. — Paul Steinhauser, Fox News, 24 Sep. 2022 Rashidi also criticized billionaire Elon Musk, who recently tweeted that his satellite broadband service, Starlink, would seek an exemption from sanctions to provide internet in the country. — Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 24 Sep. 2022 On Monday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that his satellite internet firm Starlink would seek permission to operate in Iran. — Fatima Hussein, ajc, 23 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'seek.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About seek

Dictionary Entries Near seek

seeing that

seek

seek compensation

Statistics for seek

Last Updated

30 Sep 2022

Cite this Entry

“Seek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seek. Accessed 30 Sep. 2022.

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More Definitions for seek

seek

verb

\ ˈsēk

sought\ ˈsȯt \; seeking

Kids Definition of seek

1 : to try to find seek help … foxes called to each other, seeking again their lifelong mates.— Jean Craighead George, My Side of the Mountain

2 : to try to win or get He sought revenge.

3 : to make an attempt Doctors are seeking to find a cure.

Choose the Right Synonym for seek

seek, search, and hunt mean to look for something. seek may be used in looking for either material or mental things. She's always seeking new friends. I seek the truth. search is used when looking for something in a very careful, thorough way. We searched all over the house for the letter. hunt is used for a long pursuit. I hunted all day for the right present.