searching Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
    look for; search; seek.
    • The police are searching for clues
    • They are searching for the missing man in the entire county
  2. verb search or seek
    search; look.
    • We looked all day and finally found the child in the forest
    • Look elsewhere for the perfect gift!
  3. verb inquire into
    search; explore; research.
    • the students had to research the history of the Second World War for their history project
    • He searched for information on his relatives on the web
    • Scientists are exploring the nature of consciousness
  4. verb subject to a search
    search.
    • The police searched the suspect
    • We searched the whole house for the missing keys
  5. adjective satellite diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
    probing; inquisitory.
    • a probing inquiry
    • a searching investigation of their past dealings
  6. adjective satellite having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect
    trenchant.
    • searching insights
    • trenchant criticism
  7. adjective satellite exploring thoroughly

WordNet


Search"ing adjective
Definitions
  1. Exploring thoroughly; scrutinizing; penetrating; trying; as, a searching discourse; a searching eye. "Piercing, searching, biting, cold." Dickens. -- Search"ing*ly, adv. -- Search"ing*ness, n.

Webster 1913