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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of comb
Simply add a few pumps to your hands, then comb it through damp or dry hair.
—
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
Volunteers have been combing hiking trails, canvassing neighborhoods and checking in with local businesses in hopes of finding any trace of Hillyard.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile in Tehran, rescue workers were combing through rubble Friday morning trying to find survivors after overnight strikes there.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The ministry added that search and rescue teams were continuing to comb through the site.
—Monica Alba, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comb
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
Volunteers have been combing hiking trails, canvassing neighborhoods and checking in with local businesses in hopes of finding any trace of Hillyard.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile in Tehran, rescue workers were combing through rubble Friday morning trying to find survivors after overnight strikes there.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The ministry added that search and rescue teams were continuing to comb through the site.
—Monica Alba, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comb
Verb
-
One desperate woman searching for her uncle even called emergency rooms and police.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Read the full report for Tom Burger by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Note that the straw will be challenging to rake away later.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Drake continued to rake and Chris continued to set sail as the Braves eased past the visiting Athletics 5-1 on Wednesday at Truist Park.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, the analyst, whom the firm did not name due to the sensitivity of the activity, found that vessels are still moving through the strait, with traffic picking up in recent days to roughly 15 ships per day, according to the firm’s report posted on Substack.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Two dead sharks were found stranded on North Carolina beaches during Spring Break, and researchers aren’t sure what killed them.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comb. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
