as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims
a naturally questioning person, she demands rock-solid proof before she believes anything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in inquiry
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in challenging
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
the teenager openly questioned the authority of the town's police force to impose a curfew on residents under the age of 18
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pondering
to give serious and careful thought to
question your motives before you file the lawsuit: do you really care about the trees, or are you just trying to harass the neighbors?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in doubting
to have no trust or confidence in
it was apparent that voters were questioning the President's ability to manage the economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in asking
to put a question or questions to
the press should be allowed to question public officials about any matter of general interest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in interrogating
to put a series of questions to
the police questioned the suspect before deciding that there was insufficient evidence to hold him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of questioning
Juliana Kim, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
The Prime Minister didn’t appear to understand their line of questioning.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
Will Clark, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
He was released after questioning but remains under investigation.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for questioning
Noun
Later that night, Orta, who witnessed the shooting from the passenger seat, was taken into questioning.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 15 Apr. 2026
The Prime Minister didn’t appear to understand their line of questioning.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
Locals are still questioning why their residential areas were targeted since neither of these Beirut neighborhoods are considered Hezbollah strongholds.
—Will Clark, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
He was released after questioning but remains under investigation.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for questioning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questioning
Adjective
-
Sorrell was skeptical of sorting jobs into categories of good versus bad, or noble versus corrupt.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Many traders and analysts remain skeptical that flows can resume meaningfully and quickly as Iran is yet to confirm whether the strait would be open to all traffic beyond the ceasefire.—
Kate Sullivan,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During the past few tax seasons, the organization has offered sessions every other week, drawing 100 to 500 people, and has seen a surge in calls, emails, and social media inquiries.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Potempa said while the direct cost of the tags themselves was relatively minimal, the program required ongoing staff time to process applications, maintain records, respond to inquiries and coordinate between Village Hall and the Police Department.—
Chuck Fieldman,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Organizers say the protest is part of a broader movement challenging surveillance infrastructure and its potential consequences.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
At a time when running any kind of music or entertainment venue is challenging at best, the Back Room has kept on truckin’ for a decade now, and the Back Room is celebrating that milestone with a series of special concerts involving some of the Bay Area’s most beloved entertainers.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Leaders and others in these communities have often spoken out against violence as a solution, while warning that pondering existential and nightmarish scenarios can overwhelm and destabilize vulnerable people.—
St. John Barned-Smith,
San Francisco Chronicle,
12 Apr. 2026
-
And maybe one of those records was… The bard of New England dares to get meaningful on this two-part song, which begins by pondering the mysteries of time and ends with a singalong ode to seasonal renewal.—
Brett Milano,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Diaz-Balart of Miami is among the Republicans now doubting redistricting is wise.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
That’s despite a majority of Americans doubting his handling of trade policy, according to new Pew Research Center data.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Police are asking anyone with information, video or photos of the incident to come forward and call the department tip line at 469-658-3050.—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Police are asking anyone with additional information to contact the department.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But those comparisons won’t do The White Lotus any favors, since Beef is more effective than that series’ second and third seasons in interrogating how exclusive locations sharpen class differences.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
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Season 50 is honoring its past and legacy, actively interrogating it, dropping players from different eras into direct competition and letting the game itself reveal what has changed and what hasn’t.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Finding the behavior suspicious, police said the officers activated their overhead lights and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Never click on suspicious links Some scams prompt you to click on a link that takes you to a fake website to gather your personal information or unintentionally download malware onto your computer.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Questioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questioning. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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