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
Judge Margaret Garnett, who is overseeing the federal case, rejected the defense team's argument that the search was improper. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Detector may not flag lying cops Another change that Flock introduced to help solve the stalker cop problem includes requiring case numbers for searches. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
Restaurateur and bar owner Vincent Laresca owns the building and, as the lease ended for his previous tenant, Roadside Tacos, was searching for a new vendor to take over the space. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 This case is about more than one family searching for justice. — Simcha Itzkowitz, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 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
  • Interview excerpts, including those shared on People magazine’s social media, have Martha discussing her shopping habits, including her hunt for the perfect oxtails.
    — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • This is crucial for animals, especially those that hunt or are hunted.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of hunt
Verb
  • Going into November, an Associated Press analysis found that Wasserman Schultz is the only white Democrat positioned to represent any of the remaining districts with a Black majority or plurality.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • About one in three home sales in the Bay Area were all cash from April through June, Redfin found.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of find
Verb
  • The research, published in Chem Circularity, explores a system based on calcium looping, a process that uses the same basic material—limestone—that is already central to cement manufacturing.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Art fairs, collectors’ homes, artists’ studios, galas… The film is a welcoming and entertaining dive amongst the 1% and explores the complicated relationship between artists and commerce.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of explore
Noun
  • But while that quest continues, Glasner already has a positive problem to solve in the centre of the pitch and, just maybe, McAtee could be an unexpected solution.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • SpaceX's quest to rescue the upper section of its massive Starship rocket from the sea does not appear to be destined for a triumphant end.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of quest
Verb
  • But customers can scan the barcodes with a smartphone, too, directing them to a website with more information.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Since 2019, in Sacramento, PatronScan has been commonly used at bars due to a city ordinance requiring certain entertainment venues to use ID-scanning technology.
    — Kevin Ko, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of scan
Verb
  • Arkansas Baptist College, a private, historically Black college located several blocks east of Little Rock's Central High School, is expanding its student housing with the acquisition of a La Quinta Inn in downtown Little Rock.
    — Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Wyoming Whiskey is located in the small town of Kirby—and this is truly a small town, with only about 60 full-time residents based there.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of locate
Verb
  • For example, during the first quarter, Alkarmi combed through data and worked toward solutions to reduce customer churn.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The videos show search crews combing the Pentagon's charred corridors, and interviews with firefighters working to contain the disaster.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of comb
Verb
  • Desperate for answers, Reeder is depending on detectives investigating his daughter’s disappearance to crack the case.
    — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The case was investigated by fraud detectives, and a warrant was issued for her arrest this week.
    — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of investigate

Phrases Containing search

Browse Nearby Words

sear
search
searched
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Search.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/search. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on search

Nglish: Translation of search for Spanish Speakers

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of balmy

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
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
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All