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Definitions

scour

[skouuhr, skou-er] / skaʊər, ˈskaʊ ər /
VERB
clean, polish thoroughly
Synonyms
STRONG
abrade brush buff burnish cleanse flush furbish mop pumice purge rub sand scrub wash whiten
Antonyms
STRONG
dirty
WEAK
ignore overlook rust
VERB
search thoroughly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comb ransack rummage
STRONG
beat find forage grub hunt inquire rake rout seek
WEAK
ferret out go over with a fine-tooth comb leave no stone unturned look for look high and low look up and down track down turn inside out turn upside down
Antonyms
STRONG
answer lose neglect
WEAK
dirty ignore overlook rust

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cellphone pinging: Investigators, particularly those with FBI technical units, will use geo-fencing to scour the cell towers around Guthrie’s home for cellphone users.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

But many viewers interpreted the spot not as a feel-good story about pets but as a peek into a world where your doorbell camera can be used to scour video across neighborhoods and beyond.

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2026

America’s postwar allies are weighing closer ties to Beijing as they scour the globe for alternative markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

The death toll from a mall fire in Pakistan's biggest city rose to at least 55 people, as emergency workers scour the building's charred remains for more victims.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

I scour the files for a third time.

From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.