seekverb
uk/siːk/us/siːk/sought, sought formalseek verb (SEARCH)
B2 [ T ] to try to find or get something, especially something that is not a physical object:
"Are you actively seeking jobs?" she asked.
Hundreds of dissidents are seeking refuge/asylum in the US embassy.
B2 [ T ] to ask for advice, help, approval, permission, etc.:
Legal advice should be sought before you take any further action.
More examples
- I was expelled from school and forced to seek work.
- You should seek compensation.
- If symptoms persist seek medical attention .
- Contributions are being sought for the disaster fund.
- He had actively sought a pardon from the president.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Searching
- a needle in a haystack idiom
- beachcomber
- bounty hunter
- burrow
- cast around
- dig
- drag
- nose
- once-over
- pick
- pick through sth
- poke
- poke around
- shake
- strip search
- trail
- turn a place inside out idiom
- turn sth upside down idiom
- wanted
- wild-goose chase
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Making appeals & requests
seek verb (TRY)
C2 [ I + to infinitive ] to try or attempt:
They sought to reassure the public.
More examples
- The country's president is seeking to mend relations with the United States.
- Six journalists sought to challenge in court the legality of the ban on broadcasting.
- They are seeking to change the rules.
- People seeking to end the crisis must have our full support.
- I find it abhorrent that people should seek to gain financially from this tragic situation.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Trying and making an effort
- a blitz on sth idiom
- all-out
- assault
- attempt
- attempted
- bid
- crack
- go the extra mile idiom
- go to great lengths idiom
- God helps those who help themselves idiom
- grasp at sth
- grope
- push
- shoot
- stick
- strain every nerve idiom
- stretch a/the point idiom
- strive
- strove
- succeed
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-seeking
suffix uk/ -siː.kɪŋ/us/ -siː.kɪŋ/
A lot of bad behaviour is attention-seeking on the part of mixed-up kids.
Phrasal verb(s)
seek sb/sth out