Synonyms of search

search 1 of 3

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
• canvas
• recon
• forage
• shakedown

search

2 of 3

verb (1)

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
• reconnoitre
• reconnoiter
• reveal
• disclose
• unearth
• fathom
• plumb
• sound

search (for or out)

3 of 3

verb (2)

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

• pursue
• seek
• chase (down)
• forage (for)
• shop (for)
• look up
• cast about (for)
• look for
• cast around (for)
• hunt
• quest
• ferret (out)
• root (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose
• hide
• ignore
• neglect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of search

Noun

Following a six-hour-long search, the man – who authorities have not identified – was located and subsequently carried out of the woods on a stretcher, police said. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025

This question is accompanied by a large box to type in, that seems intentionally designed to elicit queries that are longer than just a simple keyword search. —Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 25 June 2025

Verb

But the Israel-Iran conflict − and Trump's decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites − has scrambled the high-stakes meeting as world leaders search for an endgame to the 12-day air war that's killed hundreds of people in Iran and dozens in Israel. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 25 June 2025

While searching for the wreckage from 2005 to 2013, the nonprofit found nine shipwrecks, but not Flight 2501. —CBS News, 25 June 2025

Phrases Containing search

• search (for or out)