noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
searching for a solution; groping for an answer; trying to find a way
Usually used as 模索する for an exploratory, often trial-and-error search when the answer, policy, method, or direction is not yet clear. It is common in news, essays, and business-like contexts; the image is of feeling one's way forward rather than simply looking for a known object.
会社は新しい成長戦略を模索している。
The company is searching for a new growth strategy.
The experts sought a solution to the problem.
交渉はまだ模索の段階にある。
The negotiations are still at the exploratory stage.