Seek

/siːk/

Synonyms for "seek" (201 found)

Ranked by relevance and common usage.

Closest matches (41)

addressaimangleangle forapplyaskask foraspirebe afterbe curiousbe determinedbeat aboutbeat about forbegbid forburn with curiositycanvasscastcast aboutchase
Verb(9 words)
Noun(11 words)
aimsangle a mirrorangle conceptanglingappealapply natural system approachapplyingaraaskingbegbid
Adjective(1 words)

Strong matches (60)

chivyclaimcourtdelvedelve fordemanddigdig around fordig fordig updogendeavorenquireenquirerenquiryessayferret outfishfish forfollow
Show 16 more words
follow upgapegawkgive chasego aftergo gunning forgun forhinthollo afterhopehoundhunthunt forhunt upinquireinterrogate
Adjective(1 words)
formal courting

Related words (100)

invitelaborlooklook forlook upmake aftermousenosenose aroundnose around fornose outofferpeerpleadpop the questionprosecuteprowl afterpursuequeryquest
Show 38 more words
quest afterquestionquizraise the huntrequestresolverootrubberrubberneckrun afterscoursearchsearch forsearch outsee toseek forseek outshopsmellsolicitstarestill huntstill-huntstrainstrivestrugglestudysuesue forsweatsweat bloodtake out aftertracetrytry to findundertakewant to knowwoo
Verb(11 words)
Determiner(1 words)
most foraging
Adjective(1 words)
online help
Adverb(1 words)

Choosing the right synonym

  • Closest matches in this entry: address, aim, aimed, aims, angle.
  • Sentence evidence is available for seek, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
  • Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.

Synonym selection checklist

  • Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
  • Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
  • Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "seek".
  • Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.

When not to replace "seek"

Keep "seek" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.

If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.

Replacement workflow

1. Preserve meaning

Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "seek" intact in the sentence you are editing.

2. Tune tone

Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.

3. Re-read context

Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.

Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.

Final fit check

After choosing a replacement for "seek", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.

If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "seek" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.

Related word relations

OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.

5 relation types

More general

24 entries

Showing 16 of 24 words.

More specific

18 entries

Showing 16 of 18 words.

Collocations

11 entries
academic seekhonest seeklifelong seekpersistent seekseek for knowledgeseek for truthseeking answersseeking evidenceseeking guidanceseeking helpseeking information

Inflections

3 entries

Derivations

3 entries

Sample sentences

26 total sentences available.

Tatoeba + Wiktionary

When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.

Source: tatoeba (2478)

Some Blacks seek more radical solutions.

Source: tatoeba (27235)

And they would play hide and go seek.

Source: tatoeba (50819)

Now you have come of age, you should seek a living for yourself.

Source: tatoeba (237667)

Showing 4 of 26 available sentences.

Common questions

What are the closest synonyms for "seek"?

Closest matches include address, aim, aimed, aims, angle.

How should I check whether a synonym fits "seek"?

Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.

More for "seek"