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
Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 12 Mar. 2026
To this end, the event was likely either a misunderstanding or a deliberate probing of China’s aerial defense response.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
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
This property allows rapid proprioceptive probing of objects.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 June 2022
Chris Fusco, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
His hair is frosted at the tips, carefully tousled; his eyes are alert, amused, ever-probing.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2026
Smith well knows that Wilson also was probing the pleasures of Black male camaraderie throughout the 20th century, which no writer ever explored more fully nor understood better.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
These signals are incredibly valuable for probing materials and building next-generation optical tools.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
His administration has meanwhile begun probing federal programs for fraud — work that could lay the groundwork for deeper cuts.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026
But the conservative justices, who have a 6-3 majority, also had probing questions for the other side.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General is probing contracts that were handled by former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the influence of former staffer Corey Lewandowski, according to sources.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
In a unanimous opinion issued Thursday, justices from the state’s first appellate district found that an oversight body in Sonoma County is legally authorized to subpoena the county sheriff’s office while probing whistleblower inquiries.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
The hosts also talk about Prasad’s second exit from the FDA and a congressman’s probing of the agency’s rare disease drug denials.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 12 Mar. 2026
To this end, the event was likely either a misunderstanding or a deliberate probing of China’s aerial defense response.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
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
This property allows rapid proprioceptive probing of objects.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 June 2022
Verb
The Department of Homeland Security is separately probing whether Swalwell employed a nanny who overstayed her visa.
—Chris Fusco, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
His hair is frosted at the tips, carefully tousled; his eyes are alert, amused, ever-probing.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2026
Smith well knows that Wilson also was probing the pleasures of Black male camaraderie throughout the 20th century, which no writer ever explored more fully nor understood better.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
These signals are incredibly valuable for probing materials and building next-generation optical tools.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
His administration has meanwhile begun probing federal programs for fraud — work that could lay the groundwork for deeper cuts.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026
But the conservative justices, who have a 6-3 majority, also had probing questions for the other side.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General is probing contracts that were handled by former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the influence of former staffer Corey Lewandowski, according to sources.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
In a unanimous opinion issued Thursday, justices from the state’s first appellate district found that an oversight body in Sonoma County is legally authorized to subpoena the county sheriff’s office while probing whistleblower inquiries.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probing
Noun
-
After learning of the criminal investigation in 2022, King attempted to obstruct justice by deleting online records, prosecutors alleged in court documents.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
During the eight-month investigation, HBPD detectives began communicating with him, where an agent posed as a woman babysitting a 4-year-old girl, according to prosecutors.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This comfy, chic matching set is perfect for long travel days, walking along the beach, exploring a new city, and going out to dinner with friends and family.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
-
As the state pushes cities to build more low-income housing while tax credits, grants and other public funding sources are increasingly hard to come by, San Jose is exploring new financing tools.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Celtics won by 32 and Philly will be searching for answers.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
For a team that has spent much of the season searching for consistency and identity, this was something new.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During the past few tax seasons, the organization has offered sessions every other week, drawing 100 to 500 people, and has seen a surge in calls, emails, and social media inquiries.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Potempa said while the direct cost of the tags themselves was relatively minimal, the program required ongoing staff time to process applications, maintain records, respond to inquiries and coordinate between Village Hall and the Police Department.—
Chuck Fieldman,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Harrison Area detectives were investigating the deaths.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is investigating the allegations.—
Emily Chang,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Following her death, the local coroner was notified and a state post-mortem examination was conducted.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
However, what has been investable, or at least helpful, is a near-constant examination of the bond market.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
British counter-terrorism officers, some wearing protective clothing, are examining the scene near the Israeli embassy in London after police said an unnamed group claimed to have targeted the building with drones carrying dangerous substances.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Now, however, there’s confirmation that the FBI is examining DNA evidence recovered from the scene.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 11-room Six Bells Countryside Inn is a maximalist country-kitsch exploration.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Directed by Joshua Bailey in his feature directorial debut, the 74-minute documentary follows the history of urban exploration around Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, and the people who break into closed or closing attractions around the park to document the infrastructure.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Probing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probing. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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