Trawled

To search or examine something thoroughly and extensively, often by sifting through a large amount of data, information, or physical space. This can involve dragging a net along the seabed to catch fish (the original meaning), or metaphorically, to search through something systematically to find specific items or information. The goal of trawling is to identify, locate, or collect specific elements, whether tangible or intangible. The process often implies a wide scope and an effort to leave no stone unturned in the search or examination process, be it real or virtual.

Trawled meaning with examples

• The research team trawled through thousands of historical documents, hoping to find evidence that would support their theory about the ancient civilization. Their meticulous search involved cross-referencing various sources and analyzing complex patterns hidden within the data, providing valuable insights into the past.
• Police officers trawled the neighborhood, knocking on doors and questioning residents after the disappearance, hoping to unearth any clues that could help them locate the missing person and bring closure to the family in the process. Every piece of information was seen as important.
• Social media analysts trawled through tweets and posts, monitoring public sentiment regarding the new product launch to assess consumer feedback, identify trends and gather market research data, allowing for a reactive marketing approach.
• The detective trawled the city's surveillance footage, spending hours reviewing camera angles to pinpoint the suspect's movements, piecing together the fragmented visual evidence to reconstruct the events leading up to the crime and find the perpetrator.