探さがしあぐねる

Meanings

1

ichidan verb

give up searching; be unable to find after a long search

rare term

Rare term. Describes the state of having searched extensively without success and being on the verge of giving up. Often used in literary or emphatic contexts.

何なん時じ間かんも探さがしあぐねて、ついに諦あきらめた。
After searching for hours without success, I finally gave up.
彼かれ

は

鍵かぎ

を

探さが

し

あぐね

て

、

仕し

方かた

なく

窓まど

から

入はい

っ

た

。

He searched for the key in vain and had no choice but to enter through the window.

Written forms

探さがしあぐねる
Standard kanji spelling using 探す (to search).
捜さがしあぐねる
Variant using 捜す, which often implies searching for a missing person or thing.
探さがし倦あぐねる
Rare spelling using 倦ねる (to grow weary); the kanji 倦 is not a jōyō kanji.
捜さがし倦あぐねる
Rare variant combining 捜す and 倦ねる.

Kanji

探grope, search, look for
捜search, look for, locate
倦lose interest in, tire of

Similar words

探さがす
探す is the basic verb for 'to search'. 探しあぐねる adds the nuance of searching to the point of exhaustion or giving up.
諦あきらめる
諦める means 'to give up' in general, while 探しあぐねる specifically implies giving up after a long, fruitless search.

Etymology

Compound of 探し (continuative form of 探す 'to search') + あぐねる (suffix meaning 'to be at a loss after doing something for a long time'). The suffix あぐねる is related to 倦ねる (to grow weary).