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Synonyms

searching

American  
[sur-ching] / ˈsɜr tʃɪŋ /

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 British  
/ ˈsɜːtʃɪŋ /

adjective

  1. keenly penetrating

    a searching look
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of searching

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Just be sure to note where you parked because at the end of a long day of music, you don’t want to be searching for your car.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

They were searching for genetic features that could explain the unusually fast pace of evolution.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

Hughes believes the case for human composting is so overwhelming that he is actively searching for individuals who want to take that step when they die.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The iconic NFL franchise is searching for a new home—and it could wind up across the border in an entirely new state.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

I thought Dad was searching for a reminder of Mom.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.