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

Partridge's latest misadventures see him searching for answers as he reintegrates into British life after a year spent working in Saudi Arabia, having been cast out by the BBC again.

From BBC

Dozens of rescuers have been searching overnight for survivors, but the rescue was temporarily suspended on Tuesday, with authorities saying the building is at risk of further collapse.

From BBC

Investigators are searching for a motive after a gunman opened fire at a Mormon church in Michigan and set the building on fire, killing four people.

From BBC

England women's winter of turbulence led them to a summer of soul searching.

From BBC

Rescuers are searching for 17 fishermen who are among the missing after their boats were hit by huge waves.

From BBC

Related Words

• curious 
• seeking www.thesaurus.com