Thesaurus results for RESEARCH

research 1 of 2

noun

ri-ˈsərch

Definition of research

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

Branch library program attendance rose 10% in fiscal 2026 compared with the previous year, while attendance at research libraries increased 6%; overall visits climbed 2% and 4%, respectively, across all ages according to data provided by NYPL. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026 The newest model, an internal research prototype, worked out on its own that the target was real and stopped. — Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Verb

But very few people researched the project and tried to stop it. — Ethan Brooks, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 None of this bodes well, nor does the history of the Griffin’s chief security officer Rose Harper (Sorika Wolf), which Spock and the Kirk/La’An team begin researching separately. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for research

Recent Examples of Synonyms for research

Noun

The federal agency closed its civil rights investigation in January 2025, days before President Joe Biden left office.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
An investigation linked the tire jack to a vehicle driven by Dustin Kendall, 37, of New London, police said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Definition of investigation

Verb

Brownsville and other nearby unincorporated communities in Miami-Dade County are now exploring becoming a city – something Kilpatrick said is necessary now more than ever as neighborhoods are under the threat of gentrification.

— Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
That disconnect is what leadership researcher and consultant Cory Scheer explores in his book Closing the Trust Gap.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of explore

Noun

Kansas City and Independence’s health departments have not responded to inquiries as of Wednesday.

— Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
Each year, the department faces lawsuits cataloging records inquiries that the LAPD failed to respond to by the 10-day or 24-day deadline.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of inquiry

Verb

The Olathe Police Department is investigating the crash, Moncayo said.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
But each room is packed with nooks and crannies and knickknacks to click around on, investigate, and learn about, so there’s almost always something to dig into.

— Jay Peters, The Verge, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of investigate

Noun

Emerging studies on leading AI models that have been specially trained by scholars to act as virtual Commanders-in-Chief, armed with massive arsenals of atomic arms, have been alarming.

— Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
The studies looked at everything from chips and salsa to beef chili and chicken tikka masala.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026

Definition of study

Verb

City councilors also pushed forward a probe to examine Boston Police Department staffing, retirements, forced overtime, recruitment strategies and more in April.

— Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 27 July 2026
The Lown Hospitals Index is the only national ranking that examines how equitably care is delivered, how well hospitals invest in their communities and whether patients receive high-value care that avoids unnecessary procedures, the release said.

— Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Definition of examine

Noun

The goal of the expedition is to raise money and awareness for his nonprofit, which is dedicated to Arctic climate research, marine science and exploration.

— Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
That’s on top of his regular exploration of galleries in New York, where the 25-year-old ICU nurse lives and studies.

— Mureji Fatunde-Iloeje, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2026

Definition of exploration

Noun

No sentence in corporate life sounds more like the beginning of an examination, and none more dependably marks the end of one.

— Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Among the most notable figures in this year’s report were 157 domestic abuse forensic exams conducted through the organization’s strangulation examination program, which launched in the past two years.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of examination

Browse Nearby Words

rescuing

research

researched

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Research.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/research. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of research

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on research

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

highfalutin

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes