Thesaurus results for PROBE

Q: How does the verb 'probe' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of probe are enter , penetrate , and pierce . While all these words mean "to make way into something," probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge. // probed the depths of the sea

Q: When is it sensible to use 'enter' instead of 'probe'?

In some situations, the words enter and probe are roughly equivalent. However, enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in. // entered the city in triumph

Q: When is 'penetrate' a more appropriate choice than 'probe'?

The meanings of penetrate and probe largely overlap; however, penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance. // the enemy penetrated the fortress

Q: When might 'pierce' be a better fit than 'probe'?

While in some cases nearly identical to probe , pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument. // pierced the boil with a lancet

probe 1 of 2

noun

ˈprōb

Definition of probe next

as in investigation

a systematic search for the truth or facts about something a congressional probe into the accusations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

probe

2 of 2

verb

as in to investigate

to search through or into tabloid reporters who seem determined to probe every detail of the singer's private life

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to explore

to go into or range over for purposes of discovery probing the depths of the undersea trench

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb probe differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of probe are enter, penetrate, and pierce. While all these words mean "to make way into something," probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge.

probed the depths of the sea

When is it sensible to use enter instead of probe?

In some situations, the words enter and probe are roughly equivalent. However, enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in.

entered the city in triumph

When is penetrate a more appropriate choice than probe?

The meanings of penetrate and probe largely overlap; however, penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance.

the enemy penetrated the fortress

When might pierce be a better fit than probe?

While in some cases nearly identical to probe, pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument.

pierced the boil with a lancet

Examples of probe in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This package includes the thermometer, regular and mini probes and the protective case. —

Kaila Yu, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 By studying the data the probes collect, scientists hope to learn more about not only black holes, but even the Big Bang theorized to be how the universe began. —

Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024

Verb

At the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, five eels live in the Amazon Rising habitat, where probes in the water sense their electricity and transmit their energy to a lightbar and a speaker. —

Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024 Her inability to grasp reality engulfs the final weeks of tour rehearsals in chaos, forcing her to probe the depths of her mind on a journey toward realizing that running from our formative memories is an exercise in futility. —

Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for probe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for probe

Verb

To investigate both lines of inquiry, fertility and cancer.

Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024
No one was in custody for the slaying, and detectives were investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. ;.

Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 24 Oct. 2024