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View synonyms for

seek

[ seek ]

verb (used with object)

sought, seeking.
  1. to go in search or quest of:

    to seek the truth.

  2. to try to find or discover by searching or questioning:

    to seek the solution to a problem.

  3. to try to obtain:

    to seek fame.

    Synonyms: ,

  4. to try or attempt (usually followed by an infinitive):

    to seek to convince a person.

  5. to go to:

    to seek a place to rest.

  6. to ask for; request:

    to seek advice.

  7. Archaic. to search or explore.


verb (used without object)

sought, seeking.
  1. to make inquiry.

seek

/ ː /

verb

  1. whenintr, often foll by for or after to try to find by searching; look for

    to seek a solution

  2. also intr to try to obtain or acquire

    to seek happiness

  3. to attempt (to do something); try

    I'm only seeking to help

  4. also intr to enquire about or request (something)

    to seek help

  5. to go or resort to

    to seek the garden for peace

  6. an archaic word for explore
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • dzܳȴ verb (used with object) outsought outseeking
  • · verb (used with object) resought reseeking
  • ܲ·iԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of seek1

First recorded before 900; Middle English seken, Old English ŧ; cognate with German suchen, Old Norse հᲹ, Gothic ōᲹ; akin to Latin 岵ī “to perceive by scent” ( presage, sagacity ); beseech
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Word History and Origins

Origin of seek1

Old English ŧ; related to Old Norse ōᲹ, Gothic ōᲹ, Old High German suohhen, Latin 岵ī to perceive by scent; see beseech
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. be sought after, to be desired or in demand:

    Graduates in the physical sciences are most sought after by employers these days.

More idioms and phrases containing seek

see play hide and seek .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Early this year, the president doubled the amount of damages he was seeking to $20 billion.

From

While seeking to boost oil and gas drilling and production, the Trump administration has fired thousands of government scientists and canceled many grants that had supported climate research.

From

A source close to Nigel Farage said he was seeking to argue that mental health issues were being over diagnosed in children.

From

Murkowski, one of few Republican senators to have publicly opposed President Donald Trump, was voicing concern about his administration's wide-ranging effort to seek revenge against a lengthy list of individuals perceived as political enemies.

From

At the same time, no one picked up the phone when I called each of Lawler’s three offices to attempt to register or seek admission as a member of the press.

From

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Related Words

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.

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see intoseeker