cast about

verb

cast about; casting about; casts about

intransitive verb

: to look around : seek

cast about for a seat

transitive verb

: to lay plans concerning : contrive

cast about how he was to go

Synonyms

• cast around (for)
• chase (down)
• forage (for)
• hunt
• look up
• pursue
• quest
• search (for or out)
• seek
• shop (for)

Examples of cast about in a Sentence

cast about for an answer to the question of why so many people had ignored the victim's cries for help

Recent Examples on the Web

Fast forward to today, and fans who are aware of the hole left by the departures of Broberg and Holloway are casting about in search of replacements for aging players on the NHL roster. —Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024

In the wake of Democratic voters in cities and suburbs around the country staying home or trending right, resulting in big swings to Donald Trump almost uniformly, analysts and commentators have cast about for answers. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 Nov. 2024

However, during the finale, it was revealed that Jowsey lied to Jess and the rest of the cast about the whole thing. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 22 June 2024

Oilers general manager Stan Bowman is apparently casting about to find possible solutions for a major roster pressure point. —Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 25 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

cast about

verb

: to look around here and there : seek