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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Recent Examples of comb
Cooper will be a popular name linked to the 49ers leading up to the draft after combing to score 20 touchdowns the last two seasons for Hoosiers.
—
Chris Biderman
march 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026
After Friedmann’s arrest, Hall’s staff had combed through two million hours of footage from the Downtown Detention Center’s six hundred cameras, compiling a reel of Friedmann’s every movement in the jail.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Eleven people were still missing after the strike, police said, as rescue crews combed the rubble.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Within hours, according to news reports, around 1,000 people were combing thick scrub and shallow creeks for the small girl.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comb
Chris Biderman
march 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026
After Friedmann’s arrest, Hall’s staff had combed through two million hours of footage from the Downtown Detention Center’s six hundred cameras, compiling a reel of Friedmann’s every movement in the jail.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Eleven people were still missing after the strike, police said, as rescue crews combed the rubble.
—Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Within hours, according to news reports, around 1,000 people were combing thick scrub and shallow creeks for the small girl.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comb
Verb
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Like Stevens, leaders in Las Vegas are searching for ways to win back Canadians.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
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The council’s unanimous vote on Tuesday, asking the Office of Finance to draft language creating the program, comes at a time when city leaders are searching for money to cover basic services after closing a $1-billion budget gap.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the mulch breaks down or becomes unattractive, rake it away before applying a new layer.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
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Matt McLain added muscle, is now raking On the one hand, McLain adding a dozen pounds of muscle in the offseason seems like an unambiguously positive development.—
Andy Behrens,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national also known as Asif Raza Merchant, was found guilty of murder for hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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The neighborhood/area The immediate neighborhood around the resort doesn’t offer much beyond lush greenery, but drive about 15 minutes west to find the famous Alona Beach, a particularly scenic strip of sand bookended by dramatic rock walls.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comb. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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