sought
ˈsȯt 
; seeking
; seeking
1
: to resort to : go to
2
a
: to go in search of : look for
b
: to try to discover
3
: to ask for : request
seeks advice
4
: to try to acquire or gain : aim at
seek fame
5
: to make an attempt : try
—used with to and an infinitive
governments … seek to keep the bulk of their people contented—
D. M. Potter
D. M. Potter1
: to make a search or inquiry
2
a
: to be sought
b
: to be lacking
in critical judgment … they were sadly to seek—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
seeker
noun
Examples of seek in a Sentence
The office is seeking a salesperson.
The prince is seeking a wife.
Snakes seek the sun to warm their bodies.
You should visit your doctor and seek his advice.
You should seek medical help immediately if you experience any chest pain or shortness of breath.
The church is seeking donations.
He sought revenge for his son's murder.
During the war, she sought asylum in Spain.
They sought refuge in Canada.
The company is seeking new ways to improve service.
Recent Examples on the Web
Today’s digital nomads are seeking remote work destinations that offer reliable Wi-Fi, inspiring workspaces, and even enriching learning environments for their children.
—Cassidy Randall, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
According to authorities, the group sought to radicalize and recruit teens to carry out attacks using Molotov cocktails and improvised explosives.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2025
At the same time, China has sought to join with other countries to build a united front against Trump, while ramping up its own countermeasures to the impact of Trump's tariffs.
—Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
Trump's executive order sought to restrict its lawyers from accessing government buildings and officials, and threatened to cancel federal contracts held by the firm's clients.
—Mike Scarcella and David Thomas, USA Today, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for seek
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Cassidy Randall, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
According to authorities, the group sought to radicalize and recruit teens to carry out attacks using Molotov cocktails and improvised explosives.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2025
At the same time, China has sought to join with other countries to build a united front against Trump, while ramping up its own countermeasures to the impact of Trump's tariffs.
—Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
Trump's executive order sought to restrict its lawyers from accessing government buildings and officials, and threatened to cancel federal contracts held by the firm's clients.
—Mike Scarcella and David Thomas, USA Today, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for seek
Cite this Entry
“Seek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seek. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
seek
verb
sought
ˈsȯt
; seeking
; seeking
1
: to go to
seek the shade on a sunny day
2
a
: to go in search of : look for
seek out the guilty person
b
: to try to discover
seek the truth
3
: to ask for : request
seeks advice
4
: to try to acquire or gain : aim at
seeking public office
5
: to make an attempt : try
seek to find a way
sought to improve my work
seeker
noun
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