Synonyms of sought

sought

verb

past tense of seek

1

as in pursued

to go in search of

Henry Hudson was set adrift by mutinous crewmen while seeking the Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pursued
• hunted
• searched (for or out)
• chased (down)
• looked up
• shopped (for)
• looked for
• cast about (for)
• foraged (for)
• quested
• cast around (for)
• rooted (out)
• ferreted (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lost
• ignored
• hid
• neglected

2

as in requested

to make a request for

came seeking financial advice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• requested
• required
• desired
• demanded
• urged
• spoke (for)
• sued (for)
• pleaded (for)
• called (for)
• claimed
• invited
• asked (for)
• solicited
• quested
• invoked
• applied (for)
• wished (for)
• importuned
• begged (for)
• enjoined
• insisted (on)
• requisitioned
• bespoke
• pressed (for)
• petitioned (for)
• clamored (for)
• exacted

3

as in tried

to make an effort to do

seek to find the best solution

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tried
• attempted
• endeavored
• strove
• essayed
• assayed
• hoped
• shot at
• struggled
• aimed
• had a go at
• worked
• fought
• toiled
• undertook
• troubled
• aspired
• tried one's hand (at)
• assumed
• strained
• took up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dropped
• quit
• gave up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sought

Europe hardens on migration as nationalist support grows European countries sought to harden migration rules in a bid to quell support for nationalist parties across the continent. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Trump sought to rally Republicans by attacking Democrats over inflation and immigration, repeating claims about the number and backgrounds of migrants who entered the country during the Biden administration. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Prosecutors sought a more substantial prison term, portraying Rivera as the leading participant in the operation. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

The state sought the delay from the Supreme Court after lower courts rejected the request. — Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

His attorneys have instead argued the prosecution failed to prove the money constituted a bribe, saying White never intended to use his office to deliver contracts sought by Kamara. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2026

The committee met publicly, reviewed vaccine data and sought input from various health groups. — Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

The Culture Minister has accused them of treason and sought to revoke their citizenship. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

The settlement resolved a pivotal case years in the making that sought to hold the tech giant accountable for the role its platforms played in undermining children's mental health. — Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026