Difference Between "search" and "locate [closed]

I have an english essay on a story about a woman losing her dog. Is it better to say:

She left her home in search of her dog.

or:

She left her home to locate her dog.

Thanks for any help!

Solution 1:

"Search" means "look for".

"Locate" means "find".

So you are searching for your dog when you are trying to find him, but you only locate him when you succeed. If you search without success you have searched but you have not located him.

"Locate" does usually imply that you know something exists and that only the position is unknown. A search might include trying to find something that may not exist.

I went to search for lions near my cows.

I went to locate my missing cow.