seek

11 synonyms and 4 antonyms for seek, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To try to find something.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

pursue attempt try search

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

essay

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

look for search for hunt for try to find go after assay

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To try to find something.

“Police are seeking witnesses to the accident.”

look for search for hunt for pursue try to find go after assay essay attempt try search

Opposites

eschew shun avoid

2. verb

To try to obtain or achieve something.

“He is seeking a promotion this year.”

Opposites

relinquish

How to use seek

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

seek advice seek help seek employment seek permission

Seek is more formal than the everyday "look for" — common in written or professional English.

Etymology

From Old English secan, "to seek, search for," from a Proto-Germanic root also found in Dutch zoeken and German suchen.

Full origin of seek →

Frequently asked questions

What does “seek” mean?

The word “seek” means to try to find something. In plain terms, to actively look for or try to get something.

How do you pronounce “seek”?

“Seek” is pronounced SEEK (/ˈsiːk/ in IPA).

How do you use “seek” in a sentence?

Here is “seek” used in a sentence: “Police are seeking witnesses to the accident.”

What part of speech is “seek”?

“Seek” is a verb.

Where does the word “seek” come from?

The word “seek” comes from Old English. From Old English secan, "to seek, search for," from a Proto-Germanic root also found in Dutch zoeken and German suchen.

Is “seek” a common word?

“Seek” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “seek” have?

“Seek” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to try to find something.

What is the difference between seek and search?

Both involve trying to find something, but seek focuses on the goal while search focuses on the activity. You seek a solution, a job, or advice — often abstract things — whereas you search a room or a database. Seek is also more formal and literary; search is the everyday, hands-on word.

What is the past tense of seek?

The past tense and past participle of seek are both "sought." So you say "I sought help yesterday" and "I had sought answers for weeks." It is an irregular verb, which is why the ending does not simply become "seeked." The same root gives us phrases like "much sought-after."

Is seek a formal word?

Seek leans formal and is common in writing, law, and set phrases such as "seek asylum," "seek permission," or "seek professional advice." In casual conversation people usually say "look for" or "try to find" instead. Choosing seek lends a sentence a more serious, deliberate, or official tone.

Related words

hide and seek seeker

People also searched

try search avoid attempt pursue essay shun assay relinquish eschew

Nearby words

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