Synonyms of looked for

looked for

phrase

past tense of look for

1

as in pursued

to go in search of

She had been looking for a job for months.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pursued
• sought
• looked up
• chased (down)
• searched (for or out)
• cast about (for)
• shopped (for)
• cast around (for)
• foraged (for)
• hunted
• rooted (out)
• ferreted (out)
• quested

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lost
• ignored
• hid
• neglected

2

as in invited

to act so as to make (something) more likely

They were just looking for trouble.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• invited
• wooed
• asked (for)
• flirted (with)
• sought
• fished (for)
• courted
• tempted
• angled (for)
• searched
• provoked
• hunted

3

as in expected

to believe in the future occurrence of (something)

They were looking for their first win of the season.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expected
• anticipated
• awaited
• watched (for)
• hoped (for)
• counted (on or upon)
• waited (for)
• relied (on or upon)
• contemplated
• eyed
• depended (on or upon)
• banked on
• predicted
• envisioned
• envisaged
• presumed
• foresaw
• viewed
• foretold
• prophesied
• assumed
• presupposed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• questioned
• doubted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of looked for

Kayla, a physician assistant, and her husband spent five years searching for a house; Mindy, a product manager in health-care technology, looked for housing for three years. — Kelly Marie Coyne, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

There was an important loan at Clermont Foot in January 2024 as the defender looked for regular playing time. — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Guthrie left Today for multiple months while the police looked for her mother to no avail. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 27 July 2026