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scour Synonyms

Another word for scour

Choosing another word for scour depends on context, so the 22 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 5 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• verb (Context 1)

To subject a place, text, or collection to a thorough and exhaustive search in order to locate something or someone.

Usage Example

"Researchers scoured the historical archives for any mention of the lost expedition."

Strongest
comb
Strong
ransack
search
rummage
rake
sift

• verb (Context 2)

To clean or brighten the surface of something by rubbing it hard, typically with an abrasive material or detergent.

Usage Example

"She had to scrub the cast-iron skillet with coarse salt to remove the baked-on grease."

Strongest
scrub
Strong
cleanse
burnish
polish
abrade
Weak
buff

• noun (Context 3)

The act of cleaning or polishing something by rubbing it hard, or the erosive action of flowing water on a riverbed or shoreline.

Usage Example

"The engineer inspected the bridge piers for signs of riverbed scrubbing after the spring floods."

Strong
scrubbing
erosion
abrasion

• verb (Context 4)

To erode or form a channel in the ground or rock through the rapid, forceful flow of water or ice.

Usage Example

"Melting glaciers scoured deep valleys through the mountain range thousands of years ago."

Strongest
erode
Strong
gouge
wash away
wear away
carve

• noun (Context 5)

Diarrhea or dysentery in livestock, especially young calves, lambs, and piglets (usually used in the plural).

Usage Example

"The veterinarian treated the newborn calves to prevent an outbreak of scours in the barn."

Strong
diarrhea
dysentery

Opposites of scour

The opposite of scour shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

soil
dirty
tarnish
overlook
stain
deposit
ignore
befoul
See all opposites of scour

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Scour. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/scour
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