Synonyms of search

search 1 of 2

noun

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

• hunt
• quest
• exploration
• chase
• survey
• pursuit
• sweep
• scout
• reconnaissance
• canvass
• probe
• recon
• forage
• shakedown

search

2 of 2

verb

ˈsərch 

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

• find
• scan
• locate
• comb
• investigate
• survey
• explore
• examine
• scour
• rake
• discover
• inspect
• rummage
• rifle
• dredge
• hunt (through)
• dig (through)
• ransack
• troll
• review
• sort (through)
• check (out)
• ascertain
• audit
• scrutinize
• learn
• determine
• find out
• study
• browse
• detect
• run down
• probe
• hit (on or upon)
• track (down)
• frisk
• get
• prospect
• peruse
• shake down
• look over
• poke (around)
• pat down
• glance (over)
• ferret (out)
• scare up
• snoop
• descry
• skirmish
• grub (about)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hide
• lose
• abandon
• ignore
• neglect

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

• explore
• hunt
• prospect
• probe
• discover
• scout
• skirr
• reconnoiter
• reveal
• disclose
• unearth
• fathom
• plumb
• sound

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of search

Noun

Sherrills Ford Fire, Denver Fire, and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the search for his body. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026

The Justice Department, meanwhile, has sought interviews with law enforcement officials involved in the 2022 FBI search for classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. — ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

Verb

His appellate legal team has been aggressively searching for any and every legal avenue that would overturn the judge’s sentence, nullify the jury’s guilty verdict, or even discredit the very criminal law that Combs was prosecuted under. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Huezo’s latest film follows Lúa and Noé, casting directors searching remote Mexico for natural actors for a sci-fi production, where their journey challenges their prejudices and vulnerabilities. — Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing search

• search (for or out)