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

Derived Forms

• ˈsearchingly, adverb
• ˈsearchingness, noun

Other Words From

• searching·ly adverb
• searching·ness noun
• self-searching adjective noun
• un·searching adjective
• un·searching·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of searching¹

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

Example Sentences

Still, Democrats are searching for a route to release the report whether Republican committee members want to or not, Axios reported.

From Salon

In a panic and searching for advice, I frantically hopped on an X message thread called Comedy Hoes, which includes other comedians and OnlyFans creators.

From Slate

He disappeared into his office, searching Google and picking through the latest medical journals.

From Los Angeles Times

More recently, she has hosted the CNN mini-series Searching for Mexico and Searching for Spain.

From BBC

“They’ve got to up the ante by searching officers going in,” Davis says.

From BBC

Related Words

• curious
• seeking