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

The music nearly stopped in late 2020, when Guitar Center sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

El Sayed has not publicly condemned Piker but has sought to distance himself from the influencer since winning the nomination. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026

Charles stripped his brother of his princely title and ordered him to leave Royal Lodge last year as the monarch sought to shield the rest of the royal family from the continuing scandal of Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with Epstein. — Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Leitaea Lowrimore, of Oklahoma, sought care at three hospitals across two states as her pain and bleeding worsened, yet did not receive immediate treatment even as doctors acknowledged a possible ectopic pregnancy. — Dara Kass, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

When Hindenburg crushed Hitler at the polls, in spring 1932, Hitler sought to have the results overturned amid claims of voter fraud with mail-in ballots and irregularities by state officials. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

Europe hardens on migration as nationalist support grows European countries sought to harden migration rules in a bid to quell support for nationalist parties across the continent. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Trump sought to rally Republicans by attacking Democrats over inflation and immigration, repeating claims about the number and backgrounds of migrants who entered the country during the Biden administration. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Prosecutors sought a more substantial prison term, portraying Rivera as the leading participant in the operation. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026