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

Kerry Dolan, a Forbes editor, told The New York Times in 2022 that the magazine’s search for billionaires might never pick up on someone who had quietly made $250 million from selling a stake in a business and had invested the proceeds well. — Eric Zwick, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

By contrast, modern proponents of the existence of a ninth planet focus their searches further out, looking instead to orbital peculiarities in smaller objects that occupy the distant reaches of the solar system. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

Others searched the information to identify cryptocurrency holders who appeared to be the most valuable targets. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

The revamp allowed users ​to search many records ⁠at a time and gave them access to individuals' Social Security numbers. — Reuters, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing search

• search (for or out)