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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in requested
to make a request for
came seeking financial advice
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tried
to make an effort to do
seek to find the best solution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sought
Bombing operations were also reported in Bint Jbeil, a key Hezbollah stronghold that Israeli forces have sought to take over, as well as in other areas in the south.
—
Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Canberra has actively sought to expand the country’s AI capacity.
—Matthew Chin, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Blanche also suggested the new division would be open to accepting criminal referrals from the White House — a departure from prior norms instituted after the Watergate scandal, which sought to insulate criminal investigations from political influence.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit doesn't stipulate specific damages being sought.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The second suspect is still being sought, police said.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Still, the government sought to measure their loyalty.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Oil prices held above $100 a barrel on Thursday as peace talks between the US and Iran collapsed before a second round could take place, while Washington and Tehran both sought to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
As was the case with the white-and-green dress for her Pakistan tour, Elizabeth, in her fashion choices, sought not only to avoid giving offense but to offer symbolic ingratiation, and among the most fascinating garments on display are those representing diplomatic dressing.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Canberra has actively sought to expand the country’s AI capacity.
—Matthew Chin, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Blanche also suggested the new division would be open to accepting criminal referrals from the White House — a departure from prior norms instituted after the Watergate scandal, which sought to insulate criminal investigations from political influence.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit doesn't stipulate specific damages being sought.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The second suspect is still being sought, police said.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Still, the government sought to measure their loyalty.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Oil prices held above $100 a barrel on Thursday as peace talks between the US and Iran collapsed before a second round could take place, while Washington and Tehran both sought to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
As was the case with the white-and-green dress for her Pakistan tour, Elizabeth, in her fashion choices, sought not only to avoid giving offense but to offer symbolic ingratiation, and among the most fascinating garments on display are those representing diplomatic dressing.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sought
Verb
-
Craig Adair, vice president of development at Open Road Renewables, which has pursued renewable energy projects in several states, has fielded a range of concerns over the years — from how soil could be contaminated to the possibility of electromagnetic fields causing cancer.—
Anna Clark,
ProPublica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Officers pursued him through nearby residential and parking lot areas before taking him into custody, the release said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Investigators said the assault happened after a woman and her boyfriend requested an Uber to pick them up at a bar in the Denver area and take them to a home in Arvada.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The defense requested a 5-year sentence.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Reiten tried lots of sports — like skiing and handball — but always found her way back to football.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Lee, who had tried to step around Rushing and then reach behind him to tag the plate, then slid awkwardly and sat up in discomfort.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Police said in both incidents, two suspects approached the delivery driver and attempted to pay for the food with counterfeit money.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Finding the behavior suspicious, police said the officers activated their overhead lights and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sought. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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