as in investigations
a systematic search for the truth or facts about something
a congressional probe into the accusations
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as in explores
to search through or into
tabloid reporters who seem determined to probe every detail of the singer's private life
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Recent Examples of probes
Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
It was previously used for government launches from 1962-2005, including lunar lander Surveyor 1 in 1967 and some of the Mariner probes.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
According to the theory behind them, these mass drivers could use powerful magnetic fields to throw satellites and other probes into space without the need for costly and heavy chemical propellants.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 28 May 2026
Woodward suggested that this case was not specifically tied to other Covid-19 origin probes underway by the department, noting that the Antitrust Division does not have jurisdiction over that issue.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The trailer shows an ambulance racing away from Diddly Squat Farm, followed by cell-phone footage of a nurse attaching probes to Clarkson’s chest in a hospital bed as a machine beeps in the background.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 18 May 2026
Pressure to align with the president’s agenda has only increased in recent months as the administration launches probes and recruits whistleblowers.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 15 May 2026
In some cases, the medical-examiner probes obtained by CNN seemed to contradict statements in the ICE reports in crucial ways.
—Rob Kuznia, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
The technology could also support missions to Neptune and Triton, long-duration probes studying outer planet moons, and future Kuiper Belt explorers traveling farther than New Horizons.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Further evidence gathered by both the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, a satellite that probes Mars’s surface for clues to its current and past geology, and NASA’s Perseverance rover suggests the planet also has material made up of crystals of hydrated silica—a mineral better known on Earth as opal.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 12 May 2026
So the government probes by the FCC and DOJ are questioning whether the 1961 act is being violated by 2020s-era broadcasting rights to pay streaming services.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
Spe Chen speaks with the man working to preserve the city’s heritage of neon lights, and David Ingles probes the validity of an old market adage in the age of AI.
—Bloomberg, 7 May 2026
The senators' letter probes the potential political motivations of the investigation.
—Matt Peterson,emily Wilkins, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
That tension created fertile ground for jokes, says the actor, who probes similar spaces in his Apple TV series, Shrinking.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Hubble's images help track seasonal changes, while Webb's infrared vision probes different atmospheric layers.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
With a different school as the backdrop for each chapter, the series probes the ambitions, secrets, and corruptions that fester within institutions.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
Investigations, reviews and outside probes In the midst of the overpayment debate, the unemployment insurance division devolved into a series of investigations, reviews of those investigations and spiraling distrust between staff and superiors, labor department documents obtained by The Post show.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
It was previously used for government launches from 1962-2005, including lunar lander Surveyor 1 in 1967 and some of the Mariner probes.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
According to the theory behind them, these mass drivers could use powerful magnetic fields to throw satellites and other probes into space without the need for costly and heavy chemical propellants.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 28 May 2026
Woodward suggested that this case was not specifically tied to other Covid-19 origin probes underway by the department, noting that the Antitrust Division does not have jurisdiction over that issue.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The trailer shows an ambulance racing away from Diddly Squat Farm, followed by cell-phone footage of a nurse attaching probes to Clarkson’s chest in a hospital bed as a machine beeps in the background.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 18 May 2026
Pressure to align with the president’s agenda has only increased in recent months as the administration launches probes and recruits whistleblowers.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 15 May 2026
In some cases, the medical-examiner probes obtained by CNN seemed to contradict statements in the ICE reports in crucial ways.
—Rob Kuznia, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
The technology could also support missions to Neptune and Triton, long-duration probes studying outer planet moons, and future Kuiper Belt explorers traveling farther than New Horizons.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
Verb
The new wording would require a challenger to put forward evidence sufficient to support a finding of fabrication before the court probes further.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Further evidence gathered by both the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, a satellite that probes Mars’s surface for clues to its current and past geology, and NASA’s Perseverance rover suggests the planet also has material made up of crystals of hydrated silica—a mineral better known on Earth as opal.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 12 May 2026
So the government probes by the FCC and DOJ are questioning whether the 1961 act is being violated by 2020s-era broadcasting rights to pay streaming services.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
Spe Chen speaks with the man working to preserve the city’s heritage of neon lights, and David Ingles probes the validity of an old market adage in the age of AI.
—Bloomberg, 7 May 2026
The senators' letter probes the potential political motivations of the investigation.
—Matt Peterson,emily Wilkins, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
That tension created fertile ground for jokes, says the actor, who probes similar spaces in his Apple TV series, Shrinking.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Hubble's images help track seasonal changes, while Webb's infrared vision probes different atmospheric layers.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
With a different school as the backdrop for each chapter, the series probes the ambitions, secrets, and corruptions that fester within institutions.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probes
Noun
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If the show still has some of those deep investigations then bringing in creators to do — hopefully well-done and polished — softer pieces could be OK.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
-
In short, electronic devices matter in NFL investigations.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Carlos De Loera is a reporter with De Los, the Los Angeles Times vertical that explores Latino culture and identity.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
Brodie explores the allure of the pop-cultural underdog and writes about her characters’ chemistry and near-supernatural connection in a way that makes improv seem like literal magic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
This will, no doubt, inflate the number of AI Mode searches even more.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
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Hundreds of thousands took to the streets, including Ahangarani, who searches in vain for a friend in Tehran’s Revolution Square as police crack violently down on protestors.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
That’s why The Charlotte Observer has brought back the Panthers mailbag to answer those inquiries and much more.—
Mike Kaye
June 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2026
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Such inquiries are also booming in suburban areas and the commuter communities around bigger metros.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Verb
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All that progress now comes to a screeching halt while Blue Origin investigates the cause of New Glenn's explosion and faces the task of rebuilding LC-36.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
-
Researchers report the issue first, the company investigates it, and users get a patch before attackers get a roadmap.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
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The Prime Video comedy series, which is currently filming its second season, is loosely based on Skinner's own college years, satirizing his early explorations of love as a gay man in all of its pain and pleasure.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
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The 2026 Open Doors Projects showcase features six first and second features in development — from portraits of music and memory to explorations of womanhood, urban life and the long shadows of colonialism.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Being reflective – examines one’s own assumptions and thinking habits to build more constructive patterns of thought and behavior.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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The plan examines how natural disasters could impact residents, homes, infrastructure and essential facilities, while identifying ways to reduce damage and strengthen community resilience.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
Noun
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The team believes that the technology could become highly valuable in reactor research, post-irradiation examinations, and nuclear forensics investigations that involve shielded and hazardous materials.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
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What is usually missed in examinations of the global village is that McLuhan was not necessarily optimistic about it.—
Brian A. Cogan,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Probes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probes. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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