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 latter, a wry comedy of futile endeavor, was based on a story by Kiarostami, but Haghighi soon sought to shake off Kiarostami’s influence—and, even more, a prevailing caricature of Iranian cinema that Kiarostami’s style had given rise to. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026

The decision is a win for the federal government, which sought to block the testimony of FBI special agent Hugh Raymond Evans after Fulton County officials filed suit against the administration, seeking the return of the ballots. —Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026

Tanenbaum wrote that Duckett was convicted and sentenced in 1990, was offered a chance 20 years ago to test the DNA sample now in question that was found on McAbee's jeans, and that a new method of DNA testing Duckett sought has been available since at least 2024. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026

In February, Mirror Indy reported, the Marion County Democratic Party challenged about 80 candidates who sought low-level positions. —Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026

Then, in February, the city hosted an open house about possible plans for the site, and sought resident input via an online survey. —Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

His other healthcare venture, Cost Plus Drugs, has similarly sought to reduce opacity in pharmaceutical pricing. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026

In late November, shortly after key approvals and one month before groundbreaking, the company sought 24-hour construction on weekdays and 14-hour construction on weekends. —Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Prosecutors this week sought a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Marius Borg Høiby, who denies the rape accusations. —Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026