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
Suncoast Searchlight also combed through hundreds of pages of real estate deeds, property assessment records and tax bills to pinpoint the biggest beneficiaries.
—
Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
On Friday, the plaintiffs asked Judge Chuang to block DOGE representatives from combing through U.S.A.I.D. data and systems, as a method of short-term relief.
—Aishvarya Kavi, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, combed back hairstyles by hairstylist Guido Palau exposed vampiristic widow’s peaks, turning the beauty into a form of edgy elegance.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
An already thin free-agent running back class has been combed through, as jewel Aaron Jones re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
—Luca Evans, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comb
Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
On Friday, the plaintiffs asked Judge Chuang to block DOGE representatives from combing through U.S.A.I.D. data and systems, as a method of short-term relief.
—Aishvarya Kavi, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, combed back hairstyles by hairstylist Guido Palau exposed vampiristic widow’s peaks, turning the beauty into a form of edgy elegance.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
An already thin free-agent running back class has been combed through, as jewel Aaron Jones re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
—Luca Evans, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comb
Verb
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Ann Arbor police searched his home shortly after he was fired.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2025
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This technology helps ensure that ads are relevant to what customers are actually searching for and browsing—unlike traditional retail media ad servers that operate independently from a retailer’s organic product recommendations.—
Kiri Masters,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Judge, however, in this hypothetical world, will be able to shake off any injury woes and continue to rake as well as ever despite the departure of Juan Soto, leading to him winning his third MVP award as the Yankees take after their best player and win the division crown.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Prepare the planting bed by removing existing weeds, rocks, and other debris and raking the surface smooth.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Currently on a six-game winning streak and 11 wins in 12 games, the Celtics suddenly find themselves with a legitimate chance to catch the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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Some Social Security recipients could soon find themselves in the crosshairs of a policy that advocates for seniors say could cause financial hardship for many older Americans.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comb. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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