as in searching
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 combing
Ilett has been combing the schedule.
—
Don Riddell, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Less than two weeks later, a DOGE task force arrived in Bradenton for a two-day visit, combing through files and interviewing staff.
—Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Already combing through cherry pie recipes?
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
The researchers are combing the site meter by meter using a kind of underwater vacuum cleaner to collect material for future analysis.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Internet users immediately began combing through the internet to find out more details about the man, who was said to be employed locally as a nurse.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
Rather than lathering the hair in gel or wax, women online have been combing hair masks through for a gentle, more hydrating alternative.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025
The real embarrassment is Sheriff Gahler’s decision to waste taxpayer resources combing through another official’s notes and blasting them to the press.
—Aegis Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 21 Aug. 2025
Don Riddell, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Less than two weeks later, a DOGE task force arrived in Bradenton for a two-day visit, combing through files and interviewing staff.
—Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Already combing through cherry pie recipes?
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
The researchers are combing the site meter by meter using a kind of underwater vacuum cleaner to collect material for future analysis.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Internet users immediately began combing through the internet to find out more details about the man, who was said to be employed locally as a nurse.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025
Rather than lathering the hair in gel or wax, women online have been combing hair masks through for a gentle, more hydrating alternative.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025
The real embarrassment is Sheriff Gahler’s decision to waste taxpayer resources combing through another official’s notes and blasting them to the press.
—Aegis Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combing
searching
Verb
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While searching for Tyga's Instagram page, Drake said his app's explore page was flooded by content of the two-time WWE world champion, whose real name is Demi Bennett.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Someone in Memphis searching for a mechanic shouldn't receive results optimized for Phoenix auto shops, even if those Phoenix businesses have technically superior traditional search engine optimization.—
Joe Toscano,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combing. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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