Synonyms of sought

sought

verb

past tense of seek

1

as in pursued

to go in search of

Henry Hudson was set adrift by mutinous crewmen while seeking the Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pursued
• hunted
• searched (for or out)
• chased (down)
• looked up
• shopped (for)
• looked for
• cast about (for)
• foraged (for)
• quested
• cast around (for)
• rooted (out)
• ferreted (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lost
• ignored
• hid
• neglected

2

as in requested

to make a request for

came seeking financial advice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• requested
• required
• desired
• demanded
• urged
• spoke (for)
• sued (for)
• pleaded (for)
• called (for)
• claimed
• invited
• asked (for)
• solicited
• quested
• invoked
• applied (for)
• wished (for)
• importuned
• begged (for)
• enjoined
• insisted (on)
• requisitioned
• bespoke
• pressed (for)
• petitioned (for)
• clamored (for)
• exacted

3

as in tried

to make an effort to do

seek to find the best solution

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tried
• attempted
• endeavored
• strove
• essayed
• assayed
• hoped
• shot at
• struggled
• aimed
• had a go at
• worked
• fought
• toiled
• undertook
• troubled
• aspired
• tried one's hand (at)
• assumed
• strained
• took up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dropped
• quit
• gave up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sought

Zelenskyy said the two sides subsequently sought Musk’s confirmation and discussed financing for the project. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Walter also reportedly sought to extract cash from another valuable LA asset. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026

Zelensky said the two sides subsequently sought Musk’s confirmation and discussed financing for the project. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

The family fracture began when Baker and Emily sought an audit of millions of dollars that had flowed unauthorized from their accounts into businesses connected to Baker’s father and brother. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

The city also sought to make 16th Street more functional and appealing for pedestrians. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

Most notably, the retro basketball model received a remastered Air Force 1 ’01 build which sought to replicate the look and feel of the sneaker’s 2001 build, a version beloved by purists. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026

Atlanta Jewish Times Publisher Michael Morris, in a scathing rebuke, sought to dismantle Ossoff’s reasoning. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026

Sekhavat said the situation reminds him how some Muslims living in the United States following the 9/11 attacks sought sanctuary in Canada. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026