searching

[sur-ching]

adjective

1. examining carefully or thoroughly.

   a searching inspection.

2. acutely observant or penetrating.

   a searching glance; a searching mind.

3. piercing or sharp.

   a searching wind.

searching

/ ˈsɜːtʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. keenly penetrating

   a searching look

Other Word Forms

• searchingly adverb
• searchingness noun
• self-searching adjective
• unsearching adjective
• unsearchingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of searching¹

First recorded in 1570–80; search + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The company is now searching for a new technology head, according to a message viewed by the Journal.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

On Wednesday, the department was still searching for a suspect and a murder weapon, said department spokesperson Sgt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"We spent hours searching for him, and found him under the rubble," she said.

Read more on BBC

When police began searching for him in the summer of 2023 he was described as "a danger to women."

Read more on BBC

He reached out to inspiring writers in his community for their support and found that people were searching for a place to gather and organize themselves.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• curious 
• seeking www.thesaurus.com