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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of probes
Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 10 May 2026
Both Voyager probes launched with the same 10 operational instruments.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 9 May 2026
On Thursday, soil engineer Tim Nelligan and former FBI chemist Brian Eckenrode, assisted by local soil scientist Steve Hoyt, placed probes into the ground near Susan Flores’ property in the heart of Arroyo Grande.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Even slow interstellar probes, traveling at just 1% of the speed of light, could reach us in about 10,000 years—an extremely short timescale in cosmic terms.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
The science payload to be landed there includes seismometers, a drill to allow emplacement of heat flow and electrical conductivity probes, and instruments to study the magnetic field and surface weathering.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Usually battery-operated, the meter has one or two metal probes that can measure soil moisture up to 12 inches deep.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Some of those probes were brought to the DOJ’s attention by whistleblowers, Jenny said in February at a Federal Bar Association event.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Usually battery-operated, the meter has one or two metal probes that can measure soil moisture up to 12 inches deep.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 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
Department of Justice probes Indiana University's scholarship programs.
—Evan Frank, IndyStar, 5 Mar. 2026
Born in Guangzhou and based in Beijing, the 47-year-old Cao is known for her work that probes into the human condition amid technological transformation.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
The testimony comes as the committee probes Smith's actions during his time as special counsel in the Biden administration.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
The question of how Venus’s atmosphere affects probes isn’t just about the past—the list of artifacts may be growing soon because more probes are set to land on Venus.
—Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 10 May 2026
Both Voyager probes launched with the same 10 operational instruments.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 9 May 2026
On Thursday, soil engineer Tim Nelligan and former FBI chemist Brian Eckenrode, assisted by local soil scientist Steve Hoyt, placed probes into the ground near Susan Flores’ property in the heart of Arroyo Grande.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Even slow interstellar probes, traveling at just 1% of the speed of light, could reach us in about 10,000 years—an extremely short timescale in cosmic terms.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
The science payload to be landed there includes seismometers, a drill to allow emplacement of heat flow and electrical conductivity probes, and instruments to study the magnetic field and surface weathering.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Usually battery-operated, the meter has one or two metal probes that can measure soil moisture up to 12 inches deep.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Some of those probes were brought to the DOJ’s attention by whistleblowers, Jenny said in February at a Federal Bar Association event.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Usually battery-operated, the meter has one or two metal probes that can measure soil moisture up to 12 inches deep.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
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
Department of Justice probes Indiana University's scholarship programs.
—Evan Frank, IndyStar, 5 Mar. 2026
Born in Guangzhou and based in Beijing, the 47-year-old Cao is known for her work that probes into the human condition amid technological transformation.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
The testimony comes as the committee probes Smith's actions during his time as special counsel in the Biden administration.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probes
Noun
-
The office said the new unit will work directly with law enforcement agencies during investigations and help ensure consistency in charging decisions and sentencing recommendations.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
14 May 2026
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For Nanos, much of the public criticism overlooks the realities of how complex criminal investigations unfold, especially when detectives are intentionally withholding information to protect the integrity of the case.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Blending family drama with mystery, this debut feature explores political memory and intergenerational relationships in a society scarred by war, displacement and unresolved conflict.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
Hermanita, his current pop-up, explores Peruvian street food.—
Sam Flemming,
AJC.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Peuvrelle later told jurors during Ruben Flores’ trial that searches of his home turned up soil samples that tested positive for human blood, CNN affiliate KSBY reported.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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Thousands of miles away on Earth, her husband, Ben (Walters), searches for the truth.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
College, Robbins believes, should be more bespoke; schools should cultivate their own character based on the charisma of professors, the novelty of their inquiries, and the quality of their instruction.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
Gareth Purnell, an attorney representing several former Asheville Academy students, says his firm receives roughly two to three inquiries a day from people who say they were sent off to programs or schools where they were mistreated.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Trump has gutted the Department of Justice’s arm that investigates local departments for possible civil rights abuses.—
Shoshana Walter,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
-
The series investigates how three successful brothers ascended in the elite world of luxury real estate and private security in Miami and New York, all while harboring an extremely dark secret.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Enter Coward, which sees Dhont — who made his debut with the polarizing, award-winning trans drama Girl — pushing himself further in his explorations of sexuality and connection, while working on a far larger scale.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
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Their unwillingness to engage beyond the surface means a refusal to examine rap’s layered explorations of life, pride and pain, described through lyrical humor, social commentary and witty wordplay.—
A.D. Carson,
The Conversation,
6 May 2026
Verb
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The book examines what Brownback describes as an increasingly sophisticated system of surveillance and repression targeting Christians, Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong practitioners.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
These themes are explored further in his book, The AI Revolution is Here – Preparing the Workforce for Change, which examines how organizations can adapt to technological change while maintaining a human-centric focus.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Following initial examinations, the medical examiner determined that the female victim, a 29-year-old from Mexico, died of hyperthermia.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
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Shortly before her release from prison, Wang said authorities conducted unexplained blood tests and medical examinations.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Probes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probes. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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