Seek vs. Search — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 7, 2024
"Seek" implies an attempt to find, while "search" involves actively looking for something.
Difference Between Seek and Search
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Seeking often conveys a broader, sometimes more abstract quest, such as seeking happiness, knowledge, or a solution to a problem. It implies a pursuit or an endeavor to obtain or achieve something, often without a clear path or method. Searching, on the other hand, denotes a more active, thorough examination or investigation of a specific area, object, or information to find something or someone.
While "seek" can suggest a quest with a significant or existential dimension, "search" is more commonly associated with practical, tangible efforts. For example, one might search a room for lost keys or search a database for information. In contrast, one might seek advice, meaning or clarity in life, indicating a deeper, often introspective journey.
The use of "seek" can also imply a request or an aim to obtain something, such as seeking permission or seeking to improve a skill. Searching, however, often involves a process or action, such as searching through files or searching the internet, emphasizing the methodical effort to locate something.
In some contexts, "seek" and "search" can be used interchangeably, especially when the distinction between the metaphorical or existential quest and the physical or practical search is blurred. However, "seek" is typically used in a more figurative sense, while "search" is used in literal scenarios.
The choice between "seek" and "search" can subtly change the meaning of a sentence, highlighting either the aspirational aspect of the quest or the methodical, often systematic process of looking for something.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Attempt to find or obtain
Actively look for something
Connotation
Broader, sometimes abstract
Practical, tangible efforts
Usage
Quests, aims, requests
Examination, investigation
Context
Often figurative or existential
Typically literal
Emphasis
Pursuit or endeavor
Methodical effort
Compare with Definitions
Seek
To attempt to find or obtain something.
He sought a solution to the complex problem.
Search
To investigate or examine carefully.
The detective searched the area for clues.
Seek
To ask for something from someone.
She sought approval from her superiors.
Search
To look thoroughly in order to find something.
They searched the room for the missing documents.
Seek
To try to acquire or gain.
Seeking knowledge is a lifelong journey.
Search
To inspect someone or something.
The guard searched the bags at the entrance.
Seek
To go to or towards a place.
We shall seek shelter from the storm.
Search
To explore a database or the internet for information.
I searched online for the best travel deals.
Seek
To aim or desire to achieve something.
They seek to improve community health.
Search
To conduct an operation to find someone.
Rescue teams searched for survivors after the earthquake.
Seek
To try to locate or discover; search for
Animals seeking prey.
Search
Try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly
I searched among the rocks, but there was nothing
Hugh will be searching for the truth
Daniel is then able to search out the most advantageous mortgage
Seek
To endeavor to obtain or reach
Seek a college education.
Search
An act of searching for someone or something
The police carried out a thorough search of the premises
He plans to go to the Himalayas in search of a yeti
Seek
To go to or toward
Water seeks its own level.
Search
To move around in, go through, or look through in an effort to find something
Searched the room for her missing earring.
Searched the desk for a pen.
Seek
To inquire for; request
Seek directions from a police officer.
Search
To make a careful examination or investigation of; probe
Search one's conscience for the right thing to do.
Seek
To try; endeavor
Seek to do good.
Search
To seek data matching a word, phrase, or pattern of characters in
Searched the internet for information about ostriches.
Seek
To make a search or investigation
Seek and you will find.
Search
(Law) To examine (a person or property) for the purpose of discovering evidence of a crime.
Seek
(ambitransitive) To try to find; to look for; to search for.
I seek wisdom.
Search
To search a place or space in order to find something
Searched all afternoon for my wallet.
Seek
(transitive) To ask for; to solicit; to beseech.
I seek forgiveness through repentance.
Search
To make a careful examination or investigation
Searching for the right words to say.
Seek
(transitive) To try to acquire or gain; to strive after; to aim at.
I sought my fortune on the goldfields.
Search
To use a search engine or other software to find any data matching a particular pattern.
Seek
To go, move, travel (in a given direction).
Search
(Law) To make a search for evidence.
Seek
(transitive) To try to reach or come to; to go to; to resort to.
When the alarm went off I sought the exit in a panic.
Search
An act of searching.
Seek
To attempt, endeavour, try
Our company does not seek to limit its employees from using the internet or engaging in social networking.
Search
(Law) The examination of a person or property, as by a law enforcement officer, for the purpose of discovering evidence of a crime.
Seek
To navigate through a stream.
Search
A control mechanism on an audio or video player that rapidly advances or reverses the playing of a recording.
Seek
(computing) The operation of navigating through a stream.
Search
An attempt to find something.
With only five minutes until we were meant to leave, the search for the keys started in earnest.
Seek
Sick.
Search
The act of searching in general.
Search is a hard problem for computers to solve efficiently.
Seek
To go in search of; to look for; to search for; to try to find.
The man saked him, saying, What seekest thou? And he said, I seek my brethren.
Search
(transitive) To look in (a place) for something.
I searched the garden for the keys and found them in the vegetable patch.
Seek
To inquire for; to ask for; to solicit; to beseech.
Others, tempting him, sought of him a sign.
Search
To look thoroughly.
The police are searching for evidence in his flat.
Seek
To try to acquire or gain; to strive after; to aim at; as, to seek wealth or fame; to seek one's life.
Search
To look for, seek.
Seek
To try to reach or come to; to go to; to resort to.
Seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal.
Since great Ulysses sought the Phrygian plains.
Search
To probe or examine (a wound).
Seek
To make search or inquiry; to endeavor to make discovery.
Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read.
To seekUpon a man and do his soul unrest.
Search
(obsolete) To examine; to try; to put to the test.
Seek
The movement of a read/write head to a specific data track on a disk
Search
To look over or through, for the purpose of finding something; to examine; to explore; as, to search the city.
They are come to search the house.
Search me, O God, and know my heart.
Seek
Try to get or reach;
Seek a position
Seek an education
Seek happiness
Search
To inquire after; to look for; to seek.
I will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
Enough is left besides to search and know.
Seek
Try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of;
The police are searching for clues
They are searching for the missing man in the entire county
Search
To examine or explore by feeling with an instrument; to probe; as, to search a wound.
Seek
Make an effort or attempt;
He tried to shake off his fears
The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps
The police attempted to stop the thief
He sought to improve himself
She always seeks to do good in the world
Search
To examine; to try; to put to the test.
Seek
Go to or towards;
A liquid seeks its own level
Search
To seek; to look for something; to make inquiry, exploration, or examination; to hunt.
Once more search with me.
It sufficeth that they have once with care sifted the matter, and searched into all the particulars.
Seek
Inquire for;
Seek directions from a local
Search
The act of seeking or looking for something; quest; inquiry; pursuit for finding something; examination.
Thus the orb he roamedWith narrow search, and with inspection deepConsidered every creature.
Nor did my search of liberty beginTill my black hairs were changed upon my chin.
Search
The activity of looking thoroughly in order to find something or someone
Search
An investigation seeking answers;
A thorough search of the ledgers revealed nothing
The outcome justified the search
Search
An operation that determines whether one or more of a set of items has a specified property;
They wrote a program to do a table lookup
Search
The examination of alternative hypotheses;
His search for a move that would avoid checkmate was unsuccessful
Search
Boarding and inspecting a ship on the high seas;
Right of search
Search
Try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of;
The police are searching for clues
They are searching for the missing man in the entire county
Search
Search or seek;
We looked all day and finally found the child in the forest
Look elsewhere for the perfect gift!
Search
Inquire into
Search
Subject to a search;
The police searched the suspect
We searched the whole house for the missing keys
Common Curiosities
Does "searching" require physical action?
Searching often involves physical action, but it can also refer to virtual actions, like searching the internet.
Can "seek" and "search" be used interchangeably?
While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, "seek" often implies a broader quest, and "search" refers to a more specific, active effort.
Is "searching" more thorough than "seeking"?
"Searching" often implies a more thorough, detailed examination or investigation compared to the broader notion of "seeking."
Do "seek" and "search" always involve physical action?
Not necessarily. Both terms can also describe metaphorical or abstract actions, such as seeking happiness or searching for the truth, where the effort is intellectual or emotional rather than physical.
Is "seeking" always about intangible things?
Not always. One can seek tangible things, like seeking a specific book, but the term often carries a broader or more abstract connotation.
Can "seek" imply a future intention?
Yes, "seek" can imply a future intention or desire to achieve or obtain something.
How does the object of the action affect the choice between "seek" and "search"?
"Seek" often implies a known or abstract object or goal (e.g., seeking approval), while "search" typically implies looking for something more concrete or undefined (e.g., searching for a lost item).
Can "seek" and "search" be used in passive constructions?
Yes, both can be used in passive constructions, but "search" is more commonly found in passive voice, especially in legal or procedural contexts (e.g., "The premises were searched by the police").
What is the main difference between seek and search?
The main difference lies in their usage context: "seek" implies a quest or attempt to find something, often with a specific goal in mind, while "search" involves a more thorough examination or investigation, often over a wider area or range of possibilities.
Is "seek" more formal than "search"?
"Seek" can sound more formal or poetic and is often used in formal writing or specific phrases (e.g., "seek refuge"), whereas "search" is commonly used in everyday language and technical contexts.
Can "seek" imply a level of desire or need?
Yes, "seek" often conveys a sense of purpose or need, indicating not just the action of looking but also the reason behind it, such as seeking shelter or seeking advice.
In what contexts is "seek" preferred over "search"?
"Seek" is often preferred in abstract, philosophical, or formal contexts, or when referring to a quest or pursuit, while "search" is common in practical, everyday situations involving investigation or exploration.
How do "seek out" and "search for" compare?
"Seek out" implies making a deliberate effort to find someone or something, suggesting intentionality, while "search for" implies a more thorough or exhaustive effort to locate something.
How do digital contexts influence the use of "seek" and "search"?
In digital contexts, "search" is commonly used (e.g., search engines, search bars) to describe the act of looking for information online, while "seek" is less commonly used but might describe a more strategic or goal-oriented action.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
