1) 作为及物动词（第二类或第四类动词）时，意思是“对某一整体进行搜索（以图在其中找出所需要的事物）”。如果要寻找的事物亦同时说出，该事物的名词前面要放介词 for。

• Everyone's luggage was thoroughly searched.所有人的行李都被彻底搜查过。
• We were stopped by the police and searched.我们被警察拦住搜身。
• I searched everywhere but couldn't find your book.我到处都找遍了，但还是没找到你的书。
• They searched him for drugs.他们搜他的身看看有没有带毒品。
• The bag and its contents were searched for prohibited items.箱子及其内容被搜查，看看有没有违禁品。
• She searched the attic from top to bottom for the letters.她把阁楼翻了过个，要找出那些信件。
• We searched the archives for conclusive evidence.我们翻查案卷，要找到一些确凿的证据。
• I searched his face for a glimmer of recognition.我注视他的脸色，要发现一点他认出我的迹象。

这个用法，也可以用于抽象意义。

• to search one's memory努力回忆
• to search one's conscience扪心自问
• She searched her mind for some words of comfort.她搜索枯肠想找出一些安慰的话语。
• Rescue workers were searching the rubble for survivors.救援人员在搜查瓦砾，看看有没有幸存者。

此外，Search me 是句惯用语，意思是：“你就是把我脑子搜个遍，你还是找不出答案，我还是不知道。”

2) 作为不及物动词（仍然是第二类或第四类动词）时，通常后面要补充上 for something 或 for somebody，意思是“进行搜索以图找到（某物或某人）”。

• I'm searching for the missing ticket.我在寻找那张丢失的门票。
• What I'm searching for is a reason for that slowing.我要找出的，是为什么慢下来了的一个原因。

同样，也可以用于抽象意义。

• He pretended to search for the appropriate words to say.他佯作寻找合适的言词。
• We are searching for a way to persuade him to cut costs.我们正在设法说服他削减开支。

To search through 则等于作为及物动词用的 to search，其直接宾语代表大的范围。

• They had to search through his belongings.他们不得不翻查他的物品。
• His widow searched through his papers for his will.他的遗孀遍查他的文件，要找到他的遗嘱。