sought

verb

Definition of soughtnext
past tense of seek
1
as in pursued
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in requested
to make a request for came seeking financial advice

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in tried
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 sought The show sought to expand norms of representation—a project whose sincerity all but courts the cringeworthy—with artists hell-bent on deconstructing the drive for beauty, including Orlan, Sara Cwynar, Juno Calypso, and Haley Morris-Cafiero. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 In response, the streaming giant has sought to diversify its content in recent years, expanding into live sports, documentaries and video games in order to compete for share of consumer attention. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Bednar had sought a deal with at least one other bank earlier this year, although talks only progressed with Piper, some of the people said. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026 In the 2022 midterms, some who rejected or sought to overturn the 2020 election ran for these offices across the country. — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 The ballot question is being spearheaded by state Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who has long sought to audit the Legislature. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Crime scene investigators collected evidence and sought witnesses and surveillance footage. — Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 Others sought less costly ways to restore some control over nuclear deterrence. — Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026 The music nearly stopped in late 2020, when Guitar Center sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sought
  1. pursued
  2. requested
  3. tried
  4. attempted
Verb
  • Netanyahu’s wager, according to these critics, was that the aid would give Hamas something to lose and would therefore help contain the group while Israel pursued normalization with the Arab world without resolving the Palestinian question.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Bambu Lab has introduced its Vortek nozzle-changing system, while Prusa has pursued multi-toolhead designs.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of pursued
Verb
  • Long Beach Police requested the help of its SWAT team, which eventually made entry into the house.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The company has also requested permission to increase LC-36’s annual launch limit from 12 to 50 flights.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of requested
Verb
  • The woman tried to intervene as her father was being assaulted, and Gonzalez also allegedly attacked her, authorities said.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Trump on Monday alluded to his own frustrations over the reports, which include allegations that Guilfoyle tried to solicit money from a donor to pay off her credit card ahead of her confirmation process (Guilfoyle has denied the story).
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of tried
Verb
  • The Yuba County attempted murder case is still pending against Wilcox.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Upon taking office, the Biden administration stopped turning away unaccompanied child migrants, attempted to halt Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations for 100 days, and suspended border wall construction.
    — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of attempted

Browse Nearby Words

soughs
sought
sought (out)
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Cite this Entry

“Sought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sought. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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