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probe

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verb

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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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of probe
Noun
Suspicions went unreported The probe’s conclusions were contained in a June 6 memo from Kelly Sabet, the Health Care Agency’s chief compliance officer, to agency chief Veronica Kelley. Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 17 June 2025 Schumer and others questioned whether the probe was getting too close for comfort. Carlo Versano jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Verb
One of its top executives was shot dead, its CEO resigned for personal reasons, and the federal government is probing its billing practices. John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 Kent Mawhinney, an attorney, was sentenced to 11 months in prison, or time served, after pleading guilty to interfering with police probing the whereabouts of his client, a New Canaan, Conn., mother who was declared dead four years after she was reported missing. Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for probe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probe
Verb
  • The national police Anti-Cybercrime Group is currently investigating another deepfake of Marcos promoting an online trading platform.
    Cecilia Hult, Fortune, 28 June 2025
  • The Los Angeles Police Department was called to investigate the incident and quickly zeroed in on Rodriguez after obtaining surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Integrating Information and Imaging the Brain Another way to explore the development of consciousness is to check for brain activity associated with this state in adulthood with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
    Christian Wolf, Scientific American, 25 June 2025
  • Designed as a multidimensional space that honors the essence of contemporary Black masculinity, Suede will explore topics ranging from wellness and wealth to art, fatherhood, fashion, and cars.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The New York Times, which first broke the news of Ryan's resignation, reported on Thursday that the Justice Department was pressuring Ryan to step down in order to resolve a civil rights inquiry into the university.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • Sustainable Beef didn't immediately reply to an inquiry for more information about the company.
    Serenah McKay, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The Congress must thoroughly examine this decision by the Supreme Court to find ways to legislate and protect the Constitutional right to citizenship for all those born in America.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025
  • In the film, the trio each examine a different Ms. cover story to honor the legacy of the magazine.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Investigators are still searching for leads in the death of a 27-year-old man who was shot in Denver five years ago, according to the police department.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 25 June 2025
  • While searching for the wreckage from 2005 to 2013, the nonprofit found nine shipwrecks, but not Flight 2501.
    CBS News, CBS News, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Italian law dictates that citizens over 80 must renew their license every two years and complete a medical examination that tests mental acuity.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 19 June 2025
  • That hasn’t, however, extended to a deep examination of last season’s Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
    Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • This skepticism has its own science-fiction tradition, in which space exploration follows the patterns of exploitation visible already on Earth.
    Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025
  • But because each of these species was found in a highly specific area far from the others, the team suggests that more exploration will likely unearth other methane-eating sea spider species.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
  • According to one 2019 study published in the journal Sleep, moms and dads can expect to experience some form of sleep deprivation for the first six years of their child's life.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Probe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probe. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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