sought
ˈsȯt 
; seeking
; seeking
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. Potter1
: 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
Examples of seek in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s nothing new about humans seeking to optimize their health and extend their lives (Hippocrates espoused cold baths; Benjamin Franklin touted vegetarianism), but the medium has changed.
—Harvard Business Review, 20 Sep. 2025
There was some confusion about whether the recommendation approved Friday sought to require those seeking COVID vaccination to have conversations with medical professionals about the risks and benefits involved before rolling up their sleeves.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
Besides Robbins, several Republicans have announced plans to seek their party’s gubernatorial nomination, including 2022 gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen and Kendall Qualls, who sought the GOP nomination in 2022.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
This year, the jury also created a scholarship fund for people seeking careers in journalism and automotive design and engineering.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seek
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Harvard Business Review, 20 Sep. 2025
There was some confusion about whether the recommendation approved Friday sought to require those seeking COVID vaccination to have conversations with medical professionals about the risks and benefits involved before rolling up their sleeves.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
Besides Robbins, several Republicans have announced plans to seek their party’s gubernatorial nomination, including 2022 gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen and Kendall Qualls, who sought the GOP nomination in 2022.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
This year, the jury also created a scholarship fund for people seeking careers in journalism and automotive design and engineering.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seek
Cite this Entry
“Seek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seek. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
seek
verb
sought
ˈsȯt
; seeking
; seeking
1
: to go to
seek the shade on a sunny day
2
a
: to go in search of : look for
seek out the guilty person
b
: to try to discover
seek the truth
3
: to ask for : request
seeks advice
4
: to try to acquire or gain : aim at
seeking public office
5
: to make an attempt : try
seek to find a way
sought to improve my work
seeker
noun
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