SOUGHT Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

sought

verb

Definition of sought

past tense of seek

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in requested

to make a request for came seeking financial advice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Khanal said the government has sought specialized support from Nepal's neighbors in tunnel rescue, survivor-detection technology, rapid forensic and DNA analysis, as well as morgue refrigerators. — Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026 Khanal said the government has sought specialized support from Nepal’s neighbors in tunnel rescue, survivor-detection technology, rapid forensic and DNA analysis, as well as morgue refrigerators. — Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 The fiscal year 2026 budget proposal even sought to cancel the Roman space telescope. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 30 Aug. 2026 Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said 237 people had been rescued alive, while seven people had died and 23 people were still being sought. — Reuters, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 In the town of Galchhi, a group of residents sought higher ground on a nearby bridge and watched as the river roared by. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 The city of Norman sought new funding from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office to continue A Better Way, a project intended as an alternative to panhandling. — Jake Ramsey, Oklahoma Watch, 30 Aug. 2026 The family fracture began when Baker and Emily sought an audit of millions of dollars that had flowed unauthorized from their accounts into businesses connected to Baker’s father and brother. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 The city also sought to make 16th Street more functional and appealing for pedestrians. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sought

Verb

Ukraine, for its part, has pursued long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and logistics hubs, seeking to raise the cost of the war for Moscow and test President Vladimir Putin's resolve after more than four-and-a-half years of conflict.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
That’s on top of other improvements Kee has already pursued on his home or plans to do, both inside and out.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of pursued

Verb

Throughout the hourlong episode, the three-time Grammy winner spoke at length with fans in the audience, who requested their favorite songs and shared how Clarkson’s music helped them through challenging times.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
The Conway Police Department has requested the Arkansas State Police's help in the investigation of a man who died while in its custody during the weekend.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of requested

Verb

Moczarski, who had once tried to assassinate Stroop, discovered that his cellmate was entirely unrepentant, and willing to discuss his crimes freely.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Aug. 2026
Because of a lack of variety in Halal restaurants, neither of the men had tried barbecue besides brisket before their trip.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of tried

Verb

The Esquire piece covers a Texas district attorney named Bill Conradt, who died by suicide in 2006 when Hansen and Dateline’s cameras, as well as law enforcement, attempted to apprehend him at his home as part of an operation covered by the program.

— Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Carter faces attempted murder charges in which the two deputies and the PG&E worker are listed as victims injured in the shooting, according to the criminal complaint filed by the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of attempted

Browse Nearby Words

soughs

sought

sought (out)

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Style

“Sought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sought. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sought

verb

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