Synonyms of probing

probing 1 of 2

noun

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

• investigation
• inquiry
• examination
• exploration
• probe
• study
• research
• inspection
• delving
• inquisition
• disquisition
• inquest
• probation
• survey
• questionnaire
• audit
• interrogation
• examen
• quest
• diagnosis
• hearing
• question
• checkup
• query
• trial
• challenge
• poll
• check
• grilling
• cross-examination
• feeler
• soul-searching
• reinvestigation
• rehearing
• questionary
• self-examination
• quiz
• self-questioning
• self-scrutiny
• going-over
• self-reflection
• self-exploration

probing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of probe

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

• exploring
• investigating
• examining
• researching
• looking (into)
• inspecting
• digging (into)
• inquiring (into)
• scanning
• delving (into)
• studying
• checking into
• viewing
• checking up on
• sifting
• perusing
• surfing
• skimming (through)
• browsing
• thumbing (through)
• cruising
• reinvestigating

2

as in searching

to go into or range over for purposes of discovery

probing the depths of the undersea trench

Synonyms & Similar Words

• searching
• exploring
• hunting
• prospecting
• discovering
• skirring
• scouting
• disclosing
• revealing
• reconnoitering
• unearthing
• plumbing
• fathoming
• sounding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of probing

Noun

There was Wall Street Journal reporter Josh Dawsey, accepting an award for his relentless probing of the White House. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 July 2026

But neither of them seemed eager to undergo much emotional probing. — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026

Mission two was to do a lot of listening, a lot of probing, a lot of asking questions, skip levels to really understand the opportunity for the go forward, but also embrace what makes TIAA incredibly special. — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 22 June 2026

Davis’ ability to reflect and respond with his pithy probing of the disagreeing chord turned chaos into something cogent. — Steven D. Reske, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026

It’s composed of 22 bilaterally symmetric appendages that ring the nostrils and move independently, sweeping the substrate in continuous probing arcs. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

Here’s a probing, exclusive, in-depth conversation Benn had with The Athletic following Monday’s practice. — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

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

Verb

Hockey players in the NHL are too good at probing their opponents for weakness and ruthlessly exploiting it. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Then, use it to augment your ideas and drill down several layers with probing questions and instructions. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Swalwell dropped out of the governor’s race and resigned from office as prosecutors in New York and Los Angeles began probing for potential criminal charges. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Now, congressional Democrats are probing whether sailors on a current deployment to the Middle East are experiencing the typical discomfort of life at sea or something worse. — Louisa Moller, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

The measurements came from the STAR (Solenoidal Tracker) detector at Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), the same facility that recently completed its final collisions after 25 years of probing quarks and gluons. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026

Arday’s death, on Friday aged 41, followed mounting pressure from the UK and international media probing every aspect of his life. — Rupert Neate, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Even still, the filmmaker is excited to let Edinburgh audiences begin probing this surprisingly affecting piece on loss and extraterrestrial life. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026

The New York City Council is probing the advertising practices of four major prediction market platforms, creating a new front in the legal battles facing the booming industry. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026