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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Greg Hilburn, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The move had its genesis in Ramón Laureano getting a day off and the search for something.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Treasurer Richard Cain allegedly searched for donations that had been classified as restricted to certain purposes but could be reclassified as unrestricted, without consulting with the finance committee or auditors.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for search
Noun
The massive search that followed spanned several months and multiple states, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
—Greg Hilburn, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
The move had its genesis in Ramón Laureano getting a day off and the search for something.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Paradoxes and Doubt The late 1800s were a time of paradoxes and doubt, the result of mathematicians beginning to search for cohesive ideas about what rules the mathematical universe obeyed.
—Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Treasurer Richard Cain allegedly searched for donations that had been classified as restricted to certain purposes but could be reclassified as unrestricted, without consulting with the finance committee or auditors.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for search
Recent Examples of Synonyms for search
Noun
-
The town of Vernon is on the hunt for those dodging local taxes by keeping cars, trucks and trailers registered in other towns or states.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Inside a ritzy event venue overlooking the Kansas City skyline, Royals majority owner John Sherman on Wednesday unveiled plans for a new stadium in Crown Center, a celebratory announcement that marked the apex of the team’s yearslong, chaotic hunt for a new home.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It’s been an eventful month for Ryan Day, Ohio State football and the school’s quest to regroup for another College Football Playoff run.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Bonaguidi finished with an assist but couldn’t add to her career total of 97 goals in the quest to reach the century mark.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Search.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/search. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
