Search crate out (5)
I believe the answer is:
trace
'search' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'crate out' is the wordplay.
'out' indicates anagramming the letters (out can mean wrong or inaccurate).
'crate' is an anagram of 'TRACE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for trace that I've seen before include "part of harness" , "Vestige, hint" , "Discover whereabouts" , "Detect - a small amount" , "Describe, small quantity" .)