search 1 of 2

noun

Definition of searchnext
as in hunt
an act or process of looking carefully or thoroughly for someone or something the search for the missing hikers lasted several days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

search

2 of 2

verb

ˈsərch How to pronounce search (audio)
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

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
Noun
During the search, officers allegedly found an AK-47 rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, over 350 rounds of ammunition and 40 bags of fentanyl, police said. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026 Continue reading … LONG ROAD HOME — Utah teen found safe after 500-day search led investigators to alleged Snapchat contact. — FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
The team is searching for a Miguel Rojas replacement after his retirement. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026 As the Heat searches for positives amid its rough start to the season, the bench rotation continues to evolve. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for search
Recent Examples of Synonyms for search
  1. hunt
  2. find
  3. explore
  4. quest
  5. scan
  6. locate
  7. comb
  8. investigate
Noun
  • This isn't first contact; the Marines are more than used to bug hunts by now, which means there's less exposition to cut through before getting to the Xeno-blasting chaos.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 14 Nov. 2026
  • But like any hunt, adapting is often the key to finding success.
    — Adam Moore, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of hunt
Verb
  • From his emergence in the mid-1950s until his passing in 2018, Taylor not only disassembled jazz and reconstructed it in his own style, but also found ways to make the world listen.
    — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Police previously said investigators found no evidence of an actual plan to carry out violence at the school.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of find
Verb
  • These experiments explored how different configurations could support coordinated object handling, transportation, and movement across challenging terrain.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Right-hander Clay Holmes and left-hander David Peterson, in particular, make sense to explore a return to Chicago given their strengths and how they can be optimized with an elite defense behind them.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of explore
Noun
  • Here’s more on the different paths taken by Bass and Raman in their quests to become mayor of Los Angeles.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The father takes his two sons—Ivan and Andrey—on a camping trip that becomes something of a Biblical quest, a test of will and belief.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of quest
Verb
  • Instead of sorting products by category, items are placed in any open, available space, then scanned and stored in a computer system.
    — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Those with ideas can scan the QR code inside the shop, or submit a request online.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of scan
Verb
  • Situated on Plaça de Catalunya, it couldn’t be better located for exploring the city centre or getting out to other districts.
    — Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
  • After taking him to his house located not too far from his law office, Gordon phoned someone.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of locate
Verb
  • Seyfried’s long locks were styled in a side part with face-framing pieces combed over from the left side of her face to create dimension.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026
  • According to the documentary, more than 100 people were arrested after police combed through hours of video evidence.
    — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of comb
Verb
  • Grand Prairie police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred Friday morning on the SH 161 southbound ramp to the eastbound IH-30 flyover.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Nov. 2026
  • Moving forward, the accident will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 15 Nov. 2026
Definition of investigate

Phrases Containing search

Browse Nearby Words

sear
search
searched
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Cite this Entry

“Search.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/search. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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