as in to search
to look through (as a place) carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something
combed the library for the missing book
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Recent Examples of comb
To help you get started, CNBC Select combed through dozens of auto insurers and based our analysis on cost, customer service, and other factors.
—
Liz Knueven, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Today, the grimmest of tasks continues — confirming the crash toll by combing the Everglades debris.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Instead, the stylish couple spent the construction years combing through vintage markets, building a concept that’s classic, but singular and a little subversive.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
One way to tackle the show at the Met is to go from start to finish, diligently combing through all two hundred and thirty-seven pieces by Raphael and his wider circle.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comb
Liz Knueven, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Today, the grimmest of tasks continues — confirming the crash toll by combing the Everglades debris.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Instead, the stylish couple spent the construction years combing through vintage markets, building a concept that’s classic, but singular and a little subversive.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026
One way to tackle the show at the Met is to go from start to finish, diligently combing through all two hundred and thirty-seven pieces by Raphael and his wider circle.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comb
Verb
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Meanwhile, the elderly on the island are forced to beg or search for food among the mountains of trash that block the streets.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated April 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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The volunteer dive team spent three years searching for the wreckage, eventually confirming its identity with the help of the Coast Guard Historians Office, which provided historical records, technical data and archival images of the ship's wheel, bell, deck fittings and weaponry.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Domínguez, meanwhile, has been raking at Triple-A since missing the cut for the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Pau Torres’s raking pass intended for Leon Bailey fell short.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Arttu Hyry has been terrific since entering the lineup for Game 2, but his third line hasn’t found the back of the net.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comb. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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