as in searched
to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something
combed the library for the missing book
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in groomed
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 combed
Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Even better, the researchers at GreenLight Biosciences combed through bioinformatic databases to find just the right gene to disrupt to avoid collateral damage to honeybees and other harmless species.
—Andrew Rosenblum, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
Last year, Winter combed through the archives and picked out his favorite moments from four decades of solstice celebrations.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Researchers and journalists combed through the videos and identified 288 people — including seven women and 12 children — who were killed.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
The 4-layer coverlet is made of 100% combed cotton.
—Terri Williams, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Since then, groups in the Netherlands and Belgium have combed through medical records to examine outcomes of pregnant patients with these types of abnormal results.
—Byjennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 4 Dec. 2024
Think tanks the Health Foundation and the Nuffield Trust combed through official waiting time data for emergency and planned care, as well as a government survey on hospital waits, to find out who was being worst affected by delays.
—Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
In central Beirut, rescue workers Friday combed through the rubble of a collapsed building, searching for survivors of an Israeli airstrike that killed at least 22 people and wounded dozens in the Lebanese capital the night before.
—Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Diamant and Kafka combed the park for it to no avail.
—Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Even better, the researchers at GreenLight Biosciences combed through bioinformatic databases to find just the right gene to disrupt to avoid collateral damage to honeybees and other harmless species.
—Andrew Rosenblum, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
Last year, Winter combed through the archives and picked out his favorite moments from four decades of solstice celebrations.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Researchers and journalists combed through the videos and identified 288 people — including seven women and 12 children — who were killed.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
The 4-layer coverlet is made of 100% combed cotton.
—Terri Williams, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Since then, groups in the Netherlands and Belgium have combed through medical records to examine outcomes of pregnant patients with these types of abnormal results.
—Byjennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 4 Dec. 2024
Think tanks the Health Foundation and the Nuffield Trust combed through official waiting time data for emergency and planned care, as well as a government survey on hospital waits, to find out who was being worst affected by delays.
—Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
In central Beirut, rescue workers Friday combed through the rubble of a collapsed building, searching for survivors of an Israeli airstrike that killed at least 22 people and wounded dozens in the Lebanese capital the night before.
—Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combed
Verb
-
After recapturing Jerusalem’s Holy Temple, which had been converted into a place of idol worship, the website says, the Maccabees searched for pure oil with which to light the Temple menorah.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Detroit Free Press,
24 Dec. 2024
-
And yet, despite accepting the reality of the injury and what lies ahead of him, Moe Wagner searched for the good in the situation while keeping a smile on his face Monday.—
Jason Beede,
Orlando Sentinel,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
And even Silicon Valley founded companies believe that Europe has a big role to play.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
The American Colonization Society (ACS), founded in 1819, reached its zenith of support by the 1850s.—
Time,
Time,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
But there was a time Emily Deschanel, who played the meticulous forensic anthropologist through 12 seasons of Bones, got scolded for being just that — and the memory still makes the star emotional.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
12 July 2025
-
The meticulous process behind the creation of this ensemble required approximately 246 hours of preparation, with each element crafted to match Beyoncé’s unparalleled stage presence and stylistic impact.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
However, later in the day, be careful about jumping to conclusions when dealing with others.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
-
The takeaway: Be careful about triggering too many credit inquiries.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combed. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share