1
as in combing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exploring
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
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Recent Examples of searching
In the Atacama Desert, a young woman dreams of becoming an astronaut while investigating her mother’s mysterious death and searching for the father who abandoned her.
—
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
The location was one of several that the company explored when searching for a spot in the city.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
After all, one of the show's guiltiest pleasures is searching each contestant's face during the reveal to suss out their true feelings.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
But some in Silicon Valley believe people will increasingly want to do their online shopping via AI chatbots, rather than by searching on Google or scrolling social media.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
The Tigers are really struggling on offense and are searching for playmakers.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Investigators are collecting evidence and searching for witnesses.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
Seoul-searching the sights The energetic neighborhood of Myeongdong serves as a central place from which to explore Seoul, and fortunately, it’s featured heavily in the film.
—Ali Wunderman, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Authorities began searching for the girls after their mother reported that Decker didn't return them home May 30, per a custody arrangement.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
The location was one of several that the company explored when searching for a spot in the city.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
After all, one of the show's guiltiest pleasures is searching each contestant's face during the reveal to suss out their true feelings.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
But some in Silicon Valley believe people will increasingly want to do their online shopping via AI chatbots, rather than by searching on Google or scrolling social media.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
The Tigers are really struggling on offense and are searching for playmakers.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Investigators are collecting evidence and searching for witnesses.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
Seoul-searching the sights The energetic neighborhood of Myeongdong serves as a central place from which to explore Seoul, and fortunately, it’s featured heavily in the film.
—Ali Wunderman, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Authorities began searching for the girls after their mother reported that Decker didn't return them home May 30, per a custody arrangement.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for searching
Verb
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Will is basically subbing Katie in for Sylvia, consulting her for help in combing through Terry’s Instagram to look for clues that something is going on with Jenna.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
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The next morning, Day 5, the skies cleared and the 112 searchers combing the mountain that day postholed through as much as 18 inches of fresh powder.—
Ted Katauskas,
Outside,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Here's how to install iOS 26 and start exploring its best features right away.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
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Blumenthal and his team, however, have spent more than a decade exploring the possibility—what if all the functions of an optical table could be miniaturized and built directly onto a chip?—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This disruption fueled a crisis in teacher turnover and burnout, with one survey finding that nearly a quarter of all teachers were considering leaving or retiring because of COVID-19 lockdowns.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
-
What matters is what works for individual couples and finding a balance between together and alone time.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Studios may not say it outright, but executives are scanning the headlines, wary of backlash, choosing safety over substance.—
Rochée Jeffrey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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Sometimes things immediately sparked my interest just by scanning Dewey’s decimals or walking down the aisles.—
Nina West
September 24,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The investigation into his flight to avoid prosecution was conducted by the FBI Indianapolis’ Violent Crime Task Force as part of Operation No Escape, which focuses on locating and arresting violent fugitives.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
29 Sep. 2025
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Drones are also very effective at locating and detecting bears.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While investigating that allegation, the DOI also found that the officer, who was not named, provided information to federal immigration authorities about another person in custody, Pedro Mujica Villa Nueva, officials said.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
25 Sep. 2025
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Since October 7th, Israeli police have been involved in investigating more than 25 cases related to espionage activity linked to Iran, resulting in approximately 46 arrests, according to a police spokesman.—
Dana Karni,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While surveying bird species on Marambaia Island in the state of Rio de Janeiro, researchers trapped a single veery in a mist net.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
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When speaking to and surveying end-users about security tools and policies, a few themes frequently arise.—
Eyal Benishti,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Investigators spent much of Wednesday scouring the scene of the shooting for evidence, with a CNN team recording video of authorities searching a Toyota at an office building near the field office.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
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Simply tear off a sheet of heavy-duty foil, wad it up to form a homemade scouring pad, and get to scrubbing.—
Darcy Lenz,
Southern Living,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Searching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/searching. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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