as in investigation
a systematic search for the truth or facts about something
questionings and probings by several committees into the affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in exploring
to search through or into
tabloid reporters who seem determined to probe every detail of the singer's private life
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in searching
to go into or range over for purposes of discovery
probing the depths of the undersea trench
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of probing
Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Giscard d’Estaing’s campaign self-consciously emulated American political campaigns of the day, and Depardon appropriately applies the tools of direct cinema to give us a probing, intimate look at the candidate on the cusp of power.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
Our measurements show a nominal amount of responsiveness to our active probing, about 3%.
—Alberto Dainotti, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
The Algerian is equally capable of tucking into midfield, running the flanks, playing probing passes from a wide-centre-back role or making darting movements towards goal.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
One of her favorite things to do during these sleep sojourns is pose personal, even existential questions — probing the mysterious terrain of her own subconscious mind.
—Carolyn Y. Johnson, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Also this week, hearings in a landmark social media trial against Meta and YouTube will continue in Los Angeles, probing whether or not platforms such as Instagram are intentionally addictive.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Like their future disciples in PC Music, Scritti Politti were giddy pop fans who approached the form as self-conscious outsiders, foregrounding its artificiality, pushing its bright colors to new extremes, aiming to make great pop records that also asked probing questions about what pop even is.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
The stepbrother of a Florida teenager who died aboard a Carnival cruise ship appeared in federal court in Miami on Friday, as investigators continue probing the circumstances surrounding her death.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Slowly, students, unions and opposition activists are taking advantage of this moment to express their views, probing the limits of free speech after years of repression and the constant threat of detention.
—Manuel Rueda, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
Benefiting 23-year-old quarterback Drake Maye, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has gone to nine Super Bowls and prepares one of the NFL’s better offenses at probing and finding weaknesses.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
His probing sensitive camera makes this story utterly palpable.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Those memorable segments demonstrated how the desk-and-sofa format could be a tool in the politician’s arsenal for shaping public opinion away from the pesky probing of journalists.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Giscard d’Estaing’s campaign self-consciously emulated American political campaigns of the day, and Depardon appropriately applies the tools of direct cinema to give us a probing, intimate look at the candidate on the cusp of power.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
Our measurements show a nominal amount of responsiveness to our active probing, about 3%.
—Alberto Dainotti, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
The Algerian is equally capable of tucking into midfield, running the flanks, playing probing passes from a wide-centre-back role or making darting movements towards goal.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
The game began like a heavyweight title fight, with both teams cautiously probing the other for weaknesses.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
One of her favorite things to do during these sleep sojourns is pose personal, even existential questions — probing the mysterious terrain of her own subconscious mind.
—Carolyn Y. Johnson, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Also this week, hearings in a landmark social media trial against Meta and YouTube will continue in Los Angeles, probing whether or not platforms such as Instagram are intentionally addictive.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Like their future disciples in PC Music, Scritti Politti were giddy pop fans who approached the form as self-conscious outsiders, foregrounding its artificiality, pushing its bright colors to new extremes, aiming to make great pop records that also asked probing questions about what pop even is.
—Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 15 Feb. 2026
The stepbrother of a Florida teenager who died aboard a Carnival cruise ship appeared in federal court in Miami on Friday, as investigators continue probing the circumstances surrounding her death.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Slowly, students, unions and opposition activists are taking advantage of this moment to express their views, probing the limits of free speech after years of repression and the constant threat of detention.
—Manuel Rueda, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
Benefiting 23-year-old quarterback Drake Maye, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has gone to nine Super Bowls and prepares one of the NFL’s better offenses at probing and finding weaknesses.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
His probing sensitive camera makes this story utterly palpable.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probing
Noun
-
As the investigation into Guthrie's abduction widens its scope, authorities have now increased the reward for public tips on the case to $102,500.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
When asked if other people at the coalition or the county are suspected of further wrongdoing, Stephan said only that the investigation is ongoing.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Efforts to mitigate consumption and reduce the environmental impact of the world’s IT infrastructure include developing more energy-efficient hardware, data center infrastructure, and exploring more sustainable computing methods.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The study's first phase focused on breast and prostate cancers and will examine lung, melanoma, colorectal and HPV-related cancers by July 2026, also exploring genetic and environmental factors.—
Marissa Payne,
Des Moines Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Choreographer Meg Stuart was brought aboard the production to tease out these specifics that Mundruczó was searching for in his scenes.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The friends huddled together in the romantasy section, a genre mix of romance and fantasy, searching for their next book club read.—
Iris Sanchez,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
London’s Metropolitan Police earlier this week opened a criminal inquiry into files suggesting Mandelson accepted money from Epstein and passed him confidential financial information while serving as a government minister 15 years ago.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
5 Feb. 2026
-
An Alberta public inquiry found that the cash to support pipeline opposition flowed to Canadian environmental activist groups through American charities, obscuring the identity of the donors.—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pawtucket Chief Goncalves said authorities were investigating whether the shooter had licenses in other states.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Hours after charges were dropped, Todd Lyons, the acting head of ICE, placed two federal officers on administrative leave and is investigating them for lying under oath.—
Stephen Swanson,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Frederick Wiseman, the pioneering documentary filmmaker whose penetrating, observational depictions of public institutions raised ethical issues and provoked social examination, has died.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Boyne refused to submit to examination by state mental health professionals and fired the lawyers.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a rule, examining Polish posters of this ilk, and trying to guess which films are being publicized, is a deliciously difficult sport.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The Dallas Morning News is launching a reader survey as part of a project examining how affordable parenthood is in North Texas — and where families feel the biggest strain.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The wreck is in the same area where the founder of the exploration organization died in June 2024.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
What unfolds is a gripping exploration of identity, privilege and devotion.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Probing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probing. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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