Synonyms of search

search 1 of 3

noun

as in hunt

an act or process of looking carefully or thoroughly for someone or something

the search for the missing hikers lasted several days

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hunt
• quest
• exploration
• chase
• survey
• pursuit
• sweep
• scout
• reconnaissance
• canvass
• probe
• canvas
• recon
• forage
• shakedown

search

2 of 3

verb (1)

ˈsərch 

1

as in to find

to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something

archaeologists have begun to search the southern end of the valley, where they believe the underground tombs are located

Synonyms & Similar Words

• find
• scan
• locate
• comb
• investigate
• survey
• explore
• examine
• scour
• rake
• discover
• inspect
• rummage
• rifle
• dredge
• hunt (through)
• dig (through)
• ransack
• troll
• review
• sort (through)
• check (out)
• ascertain
• audit
• scrutinize
• learn
• determine
• find out
• study
• browse
• detect
• run down
• probe
• hit (on or upon)
• track (down)
• frisk
• get
• prospect
• peruse
• shake down
• look over
• poke (around)
• pat down
• glance (over)
• ferret (out)
• scare up
• snoop
• descry
• skirmish
• grub (about)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hide
• lose
• abandon
• ignore
• neglect

2

as in to explore

to go into or range over for purposes of discovery

the Spanish conquistadors searched vast areas of the Southwest in their quest for the fabled cities of gold

Synonyms & Similar Words

• explore
• hunt
• prospect
• probe
• discover
• scout
• skirr
• reconnoitre
• reconnoiter
• reveal
• disclose
• unearth
• fathom
• plumb
• sound

search (for or out)

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to pursue

to go in search of

every year major league scouts crisscross the country to search for young players with promising talent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pursue
• seek
• chase (down)
• forage (for)
• shop (for)
• look up
• cast about (for)
• look for
• cast around (for)
• hunt
• quest
• ferret (out)
• root (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose
• hide
• ignore
• neglect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of search

Noun

The legal framework for border searches differs significantly from domestic law enforcement. —Iona Brannon, AFAR Media, 2 Apr. 2025

Some argue that the ascendance of Silicon Valley and the trend of tech companies taking over Hollywood should broaden the search. —Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025

Verb

Police are searching for a man who shoved a 61-year-old straphanger off a Brooklyn subway platform — just minutes before a train was due at the station. —Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025

After running the financial models and tallying the costs associated with the new levies, Liss set off to Asia in March to search for an alternative business plan. —Samantha Subin, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing search

• search (for or out)