as in to search
to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something
combed the library for the missing book
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Recent Examples of comb
Heath combed through the testimonies left behind by the dozen escapees who made it out.
—
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2025
But my local dive buddies confirm Venice is hands down the best beach in Florida place in the state to search for shark chompers, either by combing through the sand or searching underwater via a scuba diving charter.
—Terry Ward, Outside Online, 19 Jan. 2025
Officials are using cadaver dogs to comb through the thousands of structures damaged or destroyed in the fires to locate remains.
—Kate Selig, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
After combing the area, Guzzetti and collaborators detected the existence of multiple underground cavities and passageways roughly 1-2 feet underground.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for comb 
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2025
But my local dive buddies confirm Venice is hands down the best beach in Florida place in the state to search for shark chompers, either by combing through the sand or searching underwater via a scuba diving charter.
—Terry Ward, Outside Online, 19 Jan. 2025
Officials are using cadaver dogs to comb through the thousands of structures damaged or destroyed in the fires to locate remains.
—Kate Selig, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
After combing the area, Guzzetti and collaborators detected the existence of multiple underground cavities and passageways roughly 1-2 feet underground.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for comb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comb
Verb
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After all, one of the show's guiltiest pleasures is searching each contestant's face during the reveal to suss out their true feelings.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
1 Feb. 2025
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Rescuers searched through the icy waters of the Potomac River, fearing possible survivors could contract hypothermia.—
Davis Winkie,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Experts called that criticism unjustified as well, and a Finnish official said that raking for leaves and needles is not a typical feature of Finnish fire prevention.—
Chris Cameron,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2025
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Officials will rake through input from residents near and far, consider the city’s bank account, design a park, and — almost certainly — leave some, or many, residents frustrated when their ideas lose out.—
Elliott Wenzler,
The Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In addition, district officials have found that attendance has improved for both students and staff with a four-day week.—
Amy Wilde,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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After two and four months the researchers checked back in and found evidence of successful teeth growth in around 50% of the pigs.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
7 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comb. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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