research 1 of 2

noun

ri-ˈsərch How to pronounce research (audio)
Definition of researchnext
as in investigation
a systematic search for the truth or facts about something I'll have to do some research for this project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

research

2 of 2

verb

as in to explore
to search through or into researched the public record for more information about her great-grandparents

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 research
Noun
Chung recently received her first award from the National Institutes of Health for a research project to understand how genetically identical cells respond differently to stimuli, such as treatments or environmental cues. — Rachel Martin, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026 Turning a research reactor into a proving ground For decades, nuclear reactors have relied heavily on analog instrumentation and control systems. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
Verb
According to Kevin Gaston and Masashi Soga—a pair of academics who have researched the phenomenon more than anyone else—environmental amnesia is a universal phenomenon. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for research
Recent Examples of Synonyms for research
  1. investigation
  2. explore
  3. inquiry
  4. investigate
  5. study
  6. examine
  7. exploration
  8. examination
Noun
  • An investigation by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners found that while the three medications were administered in non-fatal doses, Hemphill failed to acknowledge the way the drugs would act when combined, according to the warrant.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • News reporting about the new plane’s security deficiencies angered the president and triggered a sprawling leak investigation.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Definition of investigation
Verb
  • From fans around the world trying the Metroplex’s best barbecue to exploring the Fort Worth Stockyards and hopping back on double-digit-hour flights with cowboy hats on, Haaland’s DFW experience encapsulated that completely.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • In Simulacra and Simulation, Jean Baudrillard famously explored the perils of living in a world of holograms.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Definition of explore
Noun
  • Bauman has banked his own and says that not a week passes without a celebrity inquiry.
    — Ramona Saviss, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
  • Unless the bank performs a hard inquiry, opening a deposit account generally does not impact your credit score.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of inquiry
Verb
  • Cyclospora surges can be tricky to investigate, and food poisoning sources can be hard to establish.
    — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • The deal could close as soon as July 22, though several states, including Oregon and California, are investigating whether the $111 billion transaction violates their antitrust laws.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 July 2026
Definition of investigate
Noun
  • The studies point to a broader shift already underway in pet care.
    — Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
  • Aïnouz’s new feature, however, is extreme in its brand of dysfunction and study of incestuous lust, amped up by its arresting cinematography.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of study
Verb
  • Apple examines each application and each update of every third-party app, and if these don’t meet Apple’s definition of acceptable, then they are not allowed to be installed.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • These agencies examine the water in comparison to contamination thresholds to determine if the area is swimmable.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of examine
Noun
  • In terms of threading the needle between the experimentation and playing Lestat does before landing on a style that’s uniquely his, Lestat’s preference for musical exploration is akin to Hart’s own.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Well, the nation came of age industrially after the Wright brothers' historic flight and has been a leader in aerospace tech and exploration ever since.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • Initially, the police did not believe her, even though a medical examination and physical evidence supported her account.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 17 July 2026
  • Future stable isotope examinations could also better contextualize the family’s nutritional issues.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 July 2026
Definition of examination

Browse Nearby Words

rescuing
research
researched
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Research.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/research. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on research

Nglish: Translation of research for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about research

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All