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
Investigators could be seen Tuesday moving around the crash site as some were on their hands and knees, combing for forensic evidence while others were walking the runway, scouring the area and collecting pieces of the plane.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Diamant and Kafka combed the park for it to no avail.
—Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Officials are combing through data on three phones and two laptops linked to Jabbar to determine whether there are any other potential leads.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Every year, the event’s organizers comb through data on hundreds of prospects to determine who will get a coveted invite.
—Grace Raynor, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for comb 
Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Diamant and Kafka combed the park for it to no avail.
—Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Officials are combing through data on three phones and two laptops linked to Jabbar to determine whether there are any other potential leads.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Every year, the event’s organizers comb through data on hundreds of prospects to determine who will get a coveted invite.
—Grace Raynor, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for comb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comb
Verb
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In October, 1985, Lammy watched the TV coverage of a riot that broke out on the Broadwater Farm Estate, a social-housing project two streets away from his house, when a Black woman died of heart failure after her apartment was searched by the police.—
Sam Knight,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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While the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel, the first candidate interviewed by Poles, team president Kevin Warren and others involved in the Bears’ process, five other teams are currently searching for coaches.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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When the rye declines, rake it out and loosen the soil to sow the permanent bahiagrass seed.—
Tom MacCubbin,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2025
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After the area mostly dries, rake away all dead material and loosen the soil.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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According to Rogerson and Barden, the truck was found with its windows broken.—
Graeme Taskerud,
The Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2025
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But Chelsea improved their press to force the champions to build out on their left flank, resulting in passes played over the top to find Gvardiol, who was their most potent attacking threat, with limited success.—
Sam Lee,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comb. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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