SEEKING Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

seeking 1 of 2

noun

as in search

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seeking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of seek

as in pursuing

to go in search of Henry Hudson was set adrift by mutinous crewmen while seeking the Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in requesting

to make a request for came seeking financial advice

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in trying

to make an effort to do seek to find the best solution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of seeking

Noun

The Developmental Psychology findings suggest that higher-quality friendships are associated with less overt victimization and greater comfort-seeking over time. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 Rose, Schleinzer explains, is not some revolutionary seeking to overthrow the society around her. — Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 Paradoxically, status-seeking can also promote equality, when cooperating to gain status diffuses status throughout the community. — Christopher Von Rueden, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2026 Grant Delpit intercepted Aaron Rodgers’ desperate, penalty-seeking heave to seal it, and despite Watson’s two second-half turnovers and some vintage Rodgers throws in a wild comeback, the Browns won again. — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Set in the proverbial boomtowns of West Texas, Landman is a modern-day tale of fortune-seeking in the world of oil rigs. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026 As more product research and recommendation-seeking happens inside AI interfaces, brands need to make sure their products can be understood, surfaced and recommended there. — Anastasia Shtompel, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 School eligibility To get a SoFi student loan, you must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking or graduate certificate-seeking program at an eligible school. — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Quiet luxury brand Loro Piana introduced CashDenim in 2022, as consumers emerged from the pandemic seeking indulgent yet comfortable wardrobe updates. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026

Verb

Vucic was seeking to become Serbia's prime minister after serving two near-full terms as president. — Jovana Gec, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026 The sailors were brought to the island’s southern port of Galle on Saturday after Sri Lankan authorities received a distress call seeking medical help, said Thushara Rodrigo, the foreign ministry spokesperson. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 Protests over corruption Vucic was seeking to become Serbia’s prime minister after serving two near-full terms as president. — Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 But neither Netanyahu’s right-wing alliance nor the parties seeking to replace him appear assured of the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026 Henderson did just that in 2012, seeking and winning an open seat in the state Senate. — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026 Attorneys for the Alexanders are seeking the lowest possible sentence of 15 years and deny the men ever drugged or raped any women. — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 Today, both personally and at work, people are seeking more opportunities to come together, not fewer. — Davis Noell, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026 The prime minister is seeking to extend his tenure as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 25 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for seeking

Noun

Flights carrying soldiers and military equipment from El Salvador continued to arrive on Monday in Haiti, where search and rescue operations for four missing Salvadoran aviation technicians remain ongoing.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Firing Riley now would leave athletic director Jen Cohen in a similarly tough position, with months of speculation surrounding a high-pressure search.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of search

Verb

While countries like Sweden and France are pursuing similar deep geological repositories, Finland has officially crossed the finish line first.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
The Mustangs were pursuing three consecutive titles in 2026 when they were removed at the start of the playoffs for using an ineligible player.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of pursuing

Verb

Fuel expenses are squeezing daily household budgets and tightening cash flow toward the end of the month, with reports indicating a growing number of French employees are requesting payroll advances to manage month end expenses.

— , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
After his arrest, Alfozan refused to speak to the FBI, requesting his attorney.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of requesting

Verb

Hertzberg said he’s talked to investors who may be willing to buy these bonds at cheaper rates, given the crushing issue the funding is trying to solve.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
For this week, however, Morris is an evil stepsibling, the 49ers’ defensive coordinator trying to slow down Robinson and the Falcons’ offense.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of trying

Verb

But, like a libertine desiring undiscovered pleasures, his appetite for new sensations only seemed to grow with time.

— Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026
Simply desiring to change the United States’ habit of waging war has not been enough to change it.

— Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of desiring

Verb

The push is attempting to cut down on wait times for crime victims accessing services and take inventory of the state’s violence prevention efforts under his tenure, according to an executive order obtained by The Sacramento Bee.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
In attempting to pass the group, Ross came dangerously close to several cyclists, and one collided with his vehicle and fell.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of attempting

Verb

Filmed largely on the doctors’ phones, the film offers an intimate account of the people striving to preserve life amid a devastating humanitarian crisis.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
And those striving for zest under these circumstances may benefit from assistance from a mental health professional like a psychologist, a physical health provider like a physician, or a personal trainer or fitness instructor.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of striving

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seekers

seeking

seeking (out)

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Style

“Seeking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seeking. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of seeking

noun

verb

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