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
Authorities spent nearly two weeks combing the southern Arizona landscape, sorting through doorbell footage, pondering what could have happened to the mother of three.
—
Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
The search radius stretched two miles north of Nancy Guthrie’s house to East Skyline Drive and East Sunrise Drive, and roughly four miles south to East River Road, with investigators combing the Catalina Foothills for any evidence pertaining to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
On Amazon, the glorious inconvenience of browsing shelves or combing through piles has been eliminated.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
For nearly three years, Dillard combed private databases, accessing records of 911 calls made during automobile accidents, officials said.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comb
Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
The search radius stretched two miles north of Nancy Guthrie’s house to East Skyline Drive and East Sunrise Drive, and roughly four miles south to East River Road, with investigators combing the Catalina Foothills for any evidence pertaining to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
On Amazon, the glorious inconvenience of browsing shelves or combing through piles has been eliminated.
—Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
For nearly three years, Dillard combed private databases, accessing records of 911 calls made during automobile accidents, officials said.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comb
Verb
-
The agency was seeking to search a strip club allegedly run by a criminal organization, according to a court document obtained by AP.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Despite being one of the league’s founding clubs, FCD is still searching for its first MLS Cup, a contrast to reigning champion Inter Miami, which lifted the trophy in just its eighth year of existence.—
Abraham Nudelstejer,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then, rake the ground level to prepare it for planting.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
-
This was a much better advert for the use of VAR, as was a late, raking challenge by Lucas Digne on Jacob Murphy shortly before half-time, which only brought a yellow card rather than a red.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Using this approach, the researchers found that small changes in binder distribution can dramatically affect battery performance.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Indoor and outdoor coastal vibes near San Elijo State Beach, with daily happy-hour deals, are found at Waverly in Cardiff.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comb. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
