SEARCHING Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

searching

verb

present participle of search

as in combing

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exploring

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of searching Data from Flightradar24 showed a number of aircraft searching south of the island. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 Oct. 2026 But having narrowed its financing options by holding off on a return to international bond markets, the government is searching for alternative sources of revenue. — Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026 Authorities are searching for the Gulfstream G100, a twin-engine, mid-size jet, off the coast of Nantucket. — James Cirrone , Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Most people do not have a relative searching government databases on their behalf. — Mark Lewyn, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026 Laura, though, moved away rather than toward, bending to fit the angle of the rafters, searching for the cool shadow at her back. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 Uhart and a team of biologists, veterinarians and park rangers have been searching the area for the dead calves from shore and with boats, planes and drones. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 Haase’s team also checks if Zalando customers might be searching for the trend, as a way of validating the agents’ information. — Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2026 Continue searching through the most covetable and comfy knee-high boots below. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 26 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for searching

Verb

Investigators are still combing through the suspects' cellphones, dashboard cameras and other devices for clues about potential links to Iran.

— Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Instead of combing through aging reports, collectors can focus their time on high-risk accounts and customers where escalation or direct engagement is required.

— Ari Widlansky, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of combing

Verb

The neighborhood/area Lucknam is brilliantly placed for exploring the nearby city of Bath and the Cotswolds.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Researchers are also exploring whether gut health may influence retinal health, although that connection is still emerging.

— Angelica Stabile , Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of exploring

Verb

Last month, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the 4th Circuit had prematurely halted the rule, finding that the FCC must issue a decision on the Democratic candidates’ petition for review before the appeals court can get involved.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
The power of finding joy and hope through adversity is also a big lesson.

— Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of finding

Verb

Aaron Roy, the developer of ingredient-scanning app GlutenOrNot, said.

— Wen Shao, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Therapists begin facials with face-scanning wands and other probes, to measure your lipid shield, pigmentation, hydration and elasticity, and then cater their approach to the precise needs of your skin in that moment.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of scanning

Verb

After cops released a wanted poster Wednesday calling Carrasco armed and dangerous and asked the public’s help locating him, an acquaintance turned up at the 49th Precinct stationhouse, police sources said.

— Theodore Parisienne, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
In addition, Thompson is the only prosecutor in Idaho history to win a murder conviction without investigators ever locating the victim’s body.

— Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of locating

Verb

Prison authorities are investigating the incident as a homicide, and the Office of the Inspector General has been notified, according to CDCR.

— Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Santa Ana officials were investigating Monday after a video circulating on social media appeared to show two police officers throwing a suspect to the ground and beating him.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of investigating

Verb

The nominees represent a range of exhibitions, artists, and curatorial approaches, surveying the best in the art world during the eligibility cycle of August 1, 2025–July 31, 2026.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Pawlikowski, surveying the city, came across a graveyard that was adorned with old statues, worn by lichen and time; and that is where Erika strolls, seeking refuge, on a bright day.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of surveying

Verb

The biggest clubs have dozens of part-time and casual scouts scouring local clubs at young age groups.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
By scouring countless Reddit threads, the company was able to compile a list of the most controversial decor trends, and you might be surprised by what made the list.

— Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2026