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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of probing
Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Lindita Cela, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Justice Minister Yariv Levin is attempting to bar Baharav-Miara – also a frequent target of the right wing – from probing the leak, suggesting the attorney general’s own involvement in the case should also be examined.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
But taken together, the movies demonstrate Linklater’s interest in probing creative temperaments, including his own.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, federal investigators are probing a youth baseball arm of the MLBPA.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Bannon’s fantasy functions as a rhetorical weapon—a way of probing how far the cult of personality can go before the rule of law pushes back.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Aaron plays along for a while, but eventually grows tired of all the probing questions.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Helen sends him on an off-the-books job to the London Mother House to use his mind-probing powers on Jasper (William Fichtner), a powerful vampire with a personal vendetta against the Talamasca.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2025
The deep dive into Chaplin’s working methods is compelling and illuminating, and the shooting script itself shows that the always politically and philosophically probing Chaplin hadn’t lost any of his fire or originality in his old age.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
Around this time, in Vlora, a picturesque Albanian city on the Adriatic coast, Italian law enforcement probing a transnational drug-smuggling ring also investigated Shehu for his possible involvement, according to Dragan Zagani.
—Lindita Cela, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Justice Minister Yariv Levin is attempting to bar Baharav-Miara – also a frequent target of the right wing – from probing the leak, suggesting the attorney general’s own involvement in the case should also be examined.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
But taken together, the movies demonstrate Linklater’s interest in probing creative temperaments, including his own.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, federal investigators are probing a youth baseball arm of the MLBPA.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Bannon’s fantasy functions as a rhetorical weapon—a way of probing how far the cult of personality can go before the rule of law pushes back.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Aaron plays along for a while, but eventually grows tired of all the probing questions.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Helen sends him on an off-the-books job to the London Mother House to use his mind-probing powers on Jasper (William Fichtner), a powerful vampire with a personal vendetta against the Talamasca.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2025
The deep dive into Chaplin’s working methods is compelling and illuminating, and the shooting script itself shows that the always politically and philosophically probing Chaplin hadn’t lost any of his fire or originality in his old age.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probing
Noun
-
The investigation remains ongoing.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Detectives asked anyone with information regarding Randall’s whereabouts or details relevant to the homicide investigation to call the Police Department at 916-714-5115.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Martinez said the Sheriff’s Office is exploring other types of biometric monitoring that don’t require a wearable device.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
While exploring the waterfront, don’t miss the WaterShed and Alfred Gallery Mall, which showcase artisan crafts, jewelry, textiles, and more.—
Emily Baldwin,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Rescuers retrieved eight people alive and were searching for the missing still trapped after a huge mound of garbage and debris collapsed on them in the village of Binaliw in Cebu city, police said.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Wednesday that it had been notified that teams had recommenced searching for Ran Gvili.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Formal inquiries began after complaints that personal information shared only in private realms was routinely exposed on the front pages of national newspapers, causing distress and compromising the safety of those targeted.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Wilson County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Texas Attorney General’s antitrust division is investigating anticompetitive business practices in youth hockey, USA TODAY has learned.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Joe springs into action to help, but Zoë is skeptical, believing the explosion isn't worth investigating.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The examination of the past all feels pretty surface-level.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
8 Jan. 2026
-
After an examination of her records, the election board said 188 of Walker Thomas’ petition signatures were invalid, which brought her total number of valid signatures to 445, below the minimum 500 signatures required to run.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Whether revisiting legendary careers or examining the fleeting intensity of modern pop, these films offer music lovers a chance to experience the stories behind the sound.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
This past summer, Brossoit and doctors, after examining his right hip, found the root cause of the knee pain — a cam lesion on the head of his femur that was causing issues with cartilage inside the joint.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
More than half of the island is protected by national parks, with the Virgin Islands National Park covering nearly two-thirds of its terrain—an open invitation to hiking, beachcombing, and mindful exploration.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Each troll has a name and a story that encourages nature exploration and ultimately finding ways to protect the earth.—
Khadejeh Nikouyeh,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Probing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probing. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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