cast about

verb

cast about; casting about; casts about

intransitive verb

: to look around : seek
cast about for a seat

transitive verb

: to lay plans concerning : contrive
cast about how he was to go

Examples of cast about in a Sentence

cast about for an answer to the question of why so many people had ignored the victim's cries for help
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The expectations for what the ideal Star Wars video-game fantasy even is couldn’t be more diffuse right now, as the post–Skywalker Saga franchise casts about for purpose in movies, television, books, and theme parks alike. Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024 Investors concerned about the long-term outlook of an expensive equity market, as well as bond yields that have started to move higher, are casting about for assets that are uncorrelated to either market. Sarah Min, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024 The event featured a sneak peek of the second part of Season 7 and included a conversation with the cast about the series. Maggie Clancy, WWD, 17 Oct. 2024 Storylines feel increasingly atomized: Jimmy’s friend Brian (Michael Urie) considers having a baby; Gaby counsels her students; Liz, now an empty nester, casts about for a purpose. Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cast about 

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of cast about was in 1575

Dictionary Entries Near cast about

Cite this Entry

“Cast about.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cast%20about. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cast about

verb
: to look around here and there : seek
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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