SEARCHING Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

searching

verb

present participle of search

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 searching The Celtics won by 32 and Philly will be searching for answers. —

Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026 For a team that has spent much of the season searching for consistency and identity, this was something new. —

Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026 Natalia, a lonely Brazilian centenarian, anchors this searching novel. —

The New Yorker, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 Gunshots fired Friday night in downtown Naperville have been confirmed but police are still searching for the suspects responsible, officials said. —

Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 Police are still investigating what led to the crash, but Rayner said authorities believe Croskey was struck while searching for his vehicle which had been stolen earlier in the evening. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026 Investigators learned Jade's family and friends spent years searching for her online. —

Betsy Shuller, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026 Authorities are searching for Lynette Hooker by land, air and sea. —

Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 13 Apr. 2026 Thousands of film workers have been searching for work — but many of the big opportunities have moved abroad. —

Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for searching

Verb

One way to tackle the show at the Met is to go from start to finish, diligently combing through all two hundred and thirty-seven pieces by Raphael and his wider circle.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
After that check was delivered to the state Department of Social Services office in Hartford, the audit into Zervas’ optometry practice was dropped, which prevented state auditors from combing through her records and potentially clawing back even more money for the state.

— Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026