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

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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
The underwater vehicle was coasting about six feet above the ocean floor, two miles deep, when a pinkish, mysterious creature swam into its camera’s sights, drawing gasps in the research vessel floating at the surface. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Among employers offering health benefits to workers, 31% offered a high-deductible plan paired with an HSA in 2025, up from 4% in 2005, according to KFF, a health policy research group. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
When his distant goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) shows up with a dubious interest in researching the Dial, Indy is begrudgingly wrangled into One Last Ride. — Frank Deruggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 Alexander Berger arrived at the philanthropy now known as Coefficient Giving more than a decade ago to research global public health. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 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
  • Multiple agencies from surrounding cities helped with the investigation.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • According to a report from LASD released Tuesday, no arrests were made during the search and seizure and the investigation into the Arcadia business is ongoing.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of investigation
Verb
  • Mice on semaglutide explored more, balanced longer on a rotating rod, ran farther on a treadmill and solved a maze faster—gains that held even after the researchers accounted for the animals just being leaner than their peers.
    — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Art requires some neutrality to find its voice, but a building dedicated to the exploration of narrative shouldn’t stop exploring just when its storytelling begins.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of explore
Noun
  • Then walk through the inquiry, response, sales process, onboarding, delivery, billing and follow-up.
    — Joe Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The more generative thing was to think about wildly different experiences in terms of content, but ones that are aligned in terms of question and inquiry.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of inquiry
Verb
  • No deaths have been reported, and authorities are investigating the causes of the outbreaks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Future treatments New cell and gene therapies for Huntington’s disease are being investigated, but researchers need ways of measuring what is happening inside the brain of a living person.
    — Claudia Metzler-Baddeley, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of investigate
Noun
  • More radiation tests needed The researchers say the experiment provides a useful baseline for future irradiation studies.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The study also examined whether the timing of treatment was linked to dementia risk.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of study
Verb
  • As the deputy gets closer to examine the animal, the deer suddenly springs to life.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • To be clear, the mundaneness, examined piecemeal, is undeniably horrific.
    — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of examine
Noun
  • Jacir signed on as executive producer after connecting with the film’s exploration of memory and resistance.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
  • These days, Artemis isn't the only extra demand on DSN; other space agencies also use the network for their own spacecraft, to a much greater degree than 50 years ago as space exploration has matured.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • Bi-2212 now warrants closer examination under fusion-relevant radiation.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Disney has argued the FCC has gone well beyond an examination of its internal hiring practices — the original purpose of the agency’s review.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of examination

Browse Nearby Words

rescuing
research
researched
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Cite this Entry

“Research.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/research. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on research

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about research

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