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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of comb
As law enforcement officials look to nail down the exact details surrounding the shooting, Brosnan suggests authorities are likely starting their investigation by combing through countless hours of surveillance footage in an attempt to retrace the moments leading up to the bloodshed.
—
Julia Bonavita , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
Cohen and his colleagues spent more than 20 years trying to pinpoint the moment that reference was first made, combing over old newspaper archives and pop culture references from the time.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 30 July 2025
After the initial squeals and giggles, Taylor Swift fans immediately got to work, combing all seven photos of Swift for outfit details and clues about their relationship status.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 25 July 2025
The hawk combs a curved beak through his feathers before peering around again, head on a swivel.
—Nick Kelley, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for comb
Julia Bonavita , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
Cohen and his colleagues spent more than 20 years trying to pinpoint the moment that reference was first made, combing over old newspaper archives and pop culture references from the time.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 30 July 2025
After the initial squeals and giggles, Taylor Swift fans immediately got to work, combing all seven photos of Swift for outfit details and clues about their relationship status.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 25 July 2025
The hawk combs a curved beak through his feathers before peering around again, head on a swivel.
—Nick Kelley, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for comb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comb
Verb
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Security and regulations Attendees will go through a metal detection system and all bags will be searched.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
12 Aug. 2025
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Louisville Metro Police Department is searching for an unknown driver after a bicyclist was struck in a fatal hit-and-run accident Aug. 11.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Repeat, mist texturizing spray near the mid lengths of your hair, then rake your fingers from roots to ends.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
8 Aug. 2025
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This type of worm, once common during the Cambrian period, would use these teeth as a specialized feeding device, scraping the seafloor or raking debris into its digestive tract.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Chargers then worked this offseason to find options on the outside to complement McConkey, including drafting Harris and Lambert-Smith.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
6 Aug. 2025
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For Canyon Crest Academy Foundation, the audit found discrepancies between the foundation’s own records and previously audited balances and filed tax returns.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comb. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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