seek
verb
ˈsēk 
sought ˈsȯt ; seeking
; seeking transitive verb
1
: to resort to : go to
2
a
: to go in search of : look for
b
: to try to discover
3
: to ask for : request
seeks advice
4
: to try to acquire or gain : aim at
seek fame
5
: to make an attempt : try —used with to and an infinitive
governments … seek to keep the bulk of their people contented
D. M. Potter
D. M. Potterintransitive verb
1
: to make a search or inquiry
2
a
: to be sought
b
: to be lacking
in critical judgment … they were sadly to seek The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London) seeker noun
Synonyms
- cast about (for)
- cast around (for)
- chase (down)
- forage (for)
- hunt
- look up
- pursue
- quest
- search (for or out)
- shop (for)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The office is seeking a salesperson. The prince is seeking a wife. Snakes seek the sun to warm their bodies. You should visit your doctor and seek his advice. You should seek medical help immediately if you experience any chest pain or shortness of breath. The church is seeking donations. He sought revenge for his son's murder. During the war, she sought asylum in Spain. They sought refuge in Canada. The company is seeking new ways to improve service. See More
Recent Examples on the Web An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Sherrod Brown would seek his fourth term in 2024. Laura Hancock, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2022 She had been embroiled in an internal party conflict long before that, with numerous Black Democratic candidates opting not to seek the Democratic Party's endorsement in the May primary in protest against party establishment. The Indianapolis Star, 14 Sep. 2022 His parents and brother decided to take Lawand on an epic and bewildering journey across Europe to seek refuge in England. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Sep. 2022 The filing comes as Linton's lawyers seek her release on bail and potential housing in a mental health treatment facility. Dan Carson, Chron, 12 Sep. 2022 Shandas pointed out that humans, like most animals, tend to seek shelter in the heat, an instinct that seems sensible but can lead us to risk our lives in superheated indoor spaces. Michelle Nijhuis, The New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2022 By contrast, Russia has been forced to seek military supplies from North Korea and Iran, in part due to Western sanctions, Mr. Blinken said. William Mauldin, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Fioretti has been unsuccessful over several recent campaign cycles since opting not to seek reelection for alderman in 2015, including two runs for mayor of Chicago in 2015 and 2019. Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Crist also lashed out at DeSantis' possible attempts to seek higher office in the future. Rick Klein, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2022 See More
Laura Hancock, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2022 She had been embroiled in an internal party conflict long before that, with numerous Black Democratic candidates opting not to seek the Democratic Party's endorsement in the May primary in protest against party establishment. The Indianapolis Star, 14 Sep. 2022 His parents and brother decided to take Lawand on an epic and bewildering journey across Europe to seek refuge in England. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Sep. 2022 The filing comes as Linton's lawyers seek her release on bail and potential housing in a mental health treatment facility. Dan Carson, Chron, 12 Sep. 2022 Shandas pointed out that humans, like most animals, tend to seek shelter in the heat, an instinct that seems sensible but can lead us to risk our lives in superheated indoor spaces. Michelle Nijhuis, The New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2022 By contrast, Russia has been forced to seek military supplies from North Korea and Iran, in part due to Western sanctions, Mr. Blinken said. William Mauldin, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Fioretti has been unsuccessful over several recent campaign cycles since opting not to seek reelection for alderman in 2015, including two runs for mayor of Chicago in 2015 and 2019. Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Crist also lashed out at DeSantis' possible attempts to seek higher office in the future. Rick Klein, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English seken, from Old English sēcan; akin to Old High German suohhen to seek, Latin sagus prophetic, Greek hēgeisthai to lead
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing seek
Kids Definition
seek
verb
ˈsēk
sought
ˈsȯt
; seeking 1
: to try to find
seek help
… foxes called to each other, seeking again their lifelong mates. Jean Craighead George, My Side of the Mountain
Jean Craighead George, My Side of the Mountain2
: to try to win or get
He sought revenge.
3
: to make an attempt
Doctors are seeking to find a cure.
seek
verb
1
as in to pursue
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
Relevance
- pursue
- hunt
- look up
- quest
- chase (down)
- look for
- search (for or out)
- cast about (for)
- forage (for)
- cast around (for)
- shop (for)
- ferret (out)
- root (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hide
- lose
- ignore
- neglect
2
as in to request
to make a request for came seeking financial advice Synonyms & Similar Words
- request
- desire
- require
- urge
- quest
- invite
- demand
- solicit
- invoke
- importune
- claim
- bespeak
- enjoin
- sue (for)
- plead (for)
- speak (for)
- call (for)
- requisition
- ask (for)
- apply (for)
- clamor (for)
- exact
- beg (for)
- wish (for)
- press (for)
- insist (on)
- petition (for)
3
as in to try
to make an effort to do seek to find the best solution Synonyms & Similar Words
- try
- attempt
- strive
- endeavor
- shoot at
- hope
- struggle
- essay
- shoot for
- aim
- assay
- undertake
- work
- fight
- aspire
- have a go at
- trouble
- toil
- try one's hand (at)
- take up
- assume
- strain
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- drop
- quit
- give up