1
as in to find
to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something
archaeologists have begun to search the southern end of the valley, where they believe the underground tombs are located
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to explore
to go into or range over for purposes of discovery
the Spanish conquistadors searched vast areas of the Southwest in their quest for the fabled cities of gold
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to pursue
to go in search of
every year major league scouts crisscross the country to search for young players with promising talent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 search
EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Shark concerns spark legislation The search for answers is also playing out at the federal level.
—Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
Kelli Bender, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
In Kumamoto prefecture, rescuers are searching for three people, one of whom was heading to an evacuation center with family when a mudslide hit their vehicle, according to the Associated Press.
—Trisha Mukherjee, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for search
Noun
After a spaceship carrying a menagerie of alien lifeforms, all apex predators, crash lands into a high-rise building in the middle of a bustling metropolis, search and rescue attempts to extract any survivors.
—EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Shark concerns spark legislation The search for answers is also playing out at the federal level.
—Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
Animal lovers are searching for answers after a group of Good Samaritans found a dog chained alone to a tree near an active fire evacuation zone.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
In Kumamoto prefecture, rescuers are searching for three people, one of whom was heading to an evacuation center with family when a mudslide hit their vehicle, according to the Associated Press.
—Trisha Mukherjee, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for search
Recent Examples of Synonyms for search
Noun
-
The decision was obviously made — even though members of the public offered compelling reasons to cancel the hunt.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Aug. 2025
-
At any rate, being able to planet hunt in such close (in cosmic terms) proximity is heartening to scientists.—
David Szondy
August 14,
New Atlas,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The 10 niche nonfiction reads that will impress your friends or further your quest for knowledge.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The quest for ever-more-local produce and unparalleled flavors is driving a boom in foraging tours.—
Lori Rackl,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Search.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/search. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share