thoroughly searched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly searched" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a comprehensive or detailed examination of a place, object, or situation to find something. Example: "The detective thoroughly searched the crime scene for any overlooked evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Before he met Mr. bin Laden, he was thoroughly searched.

The New York Times

My briefcase was taken from me for ten minutes and thoroughly searched by the guards.

The New Yorker

Baggy jeans are banned and every pack of cigarettes is thoroughly searched.

The New York Times

Artyomov said police thoroughly searched the bank's headquarters and its second branch in Moscow.

The Guardian

He said that because pedestrians were thoroughly searched, the bomber had probably entered by truck.

The New York Times

The back garden of the house was only thoroughly searched in early January after murder squad detectives were called in.

Independent

I was more thoroughly searched, in a cubicle, by a member of staff, than I have ever been in a lifetime of visiting prisons, including the Maze".

The Guardian

The F.B.I. needed the help; the agency had thoroughly searched Cassim's residence, and a forensic team had inspected his laptop, but they had found no pre-release music.

The New Yorker

Mr Clarke said tonight that the premises will "now be thoroughly searched, and that is a process that will take some time".

The Guardian

American officials had said that the F.B.I. and Central Intelligence Agency had thoroughly searched their databases for any other information on Mr. Rasheed and had found nothing.

The New York Times

The area has been divided into a grid with intervals of 10 nautical miles to ensure that it is thoroughly searched, Mr. Ferrente said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations. "Thoroughly searched" can imply suspicion or a high level of scrutiny, so use it judiciously.

Common error

Avoid using "thoroughly searched" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "looked through" or "checked" would suffice. Overusing it can make your language sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly searched" functions as a passive construction, where "searched" is the past participle of the verb "search", and "thoroughly" modifies it, indicating the manner of searching. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe a comprehensive examination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thoroughly searched" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates a comprehensive examination or inspection. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, its register remains largely neutral, making it versatile for various writing styles. When using "thoroughly searched", consider its implications of scrutiny and detail. Alternatives include "meticulously inspected" or "extensively examined", which may offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meticulously inspected

Focuses on the attention to detail during the inspection process.

extensively examined

Emphasizes the breadth and scope of the examination.

carefully scrutinized

Highlights the critical and attentive nature of the search.

comprehensively checked

Stresses the completeness of the checking process.

thoroughly investigated

Implies a deeper, more systematic inquiry than a simple search.

subjected to a rigorous search

More formal and emphasizes the strictness of the search.

exhaustively explored

Suggests that all possibilities were considered during the search.

fully vetted

Often used in the context of background checks or security clearances.

closely analyzed

Implies a detailed breakdown and assessment of the subject.

minutely scanned

Focuses on the fine-grained and detailed nature of the scanning process.

FAQs

How can I use "thoroughly searched" in a sentence?

You can use "thoroughly searched" to describe a detailed and comprehensive examination. For example, "The police "thoroughly searched" the house for evidence".

What are some alternatives to "thoroughly searched"?

Alternatives include "meticulously inspected", "extensively examined", or "carefully scrutinized", depending on the specific context.

Is "thoroughly searched" formal or informal?

"Thoroughly searched" is generally considered neutral to formal. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "looked through" or "checked" may be more appropriate.

What does "thoroughly searched" imply?

"Thoroughly searched" implies a comprehensive and detailed examination to find something, often suggesting a high level of scrutiny or suspicion.