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
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
Veronique Greenwood, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Its campaign against Ukraine did not begin in 2022 but unfolded gradually over years with disinformation campaigns and with cyber intrusions probing institutional resilience.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026
Perhaps most importantly, Berger insists that formalist approaches and levity are just as capable of probing religious and sociological subjects as narrative inquiries.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 27 Feb. 2026
At this point, Edwards had taken a few probing dribbles to get near the paint on the opposite side.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
Investigators are probing the role of McCrory, a longtime lawmaker since 2005 who currently co-chairs the legislature’s education committee.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
Led by Casey Harper, program director at the local Wild Oyster Project, the talk will examine the return of native Olympia oysters to the San Francisco Bay, probing what their recovery means for the region’s resilience and restoration.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
If not, consider asking them a series of probing questions.
—Ellen O’Brien, SELF, 23 Feb. 2026
Movies Raymond Depardon, who launched his career as a teen-aged photographer in the nineteen-fifties, turned to filmmaking in the seventies and became one of the era’s most artistically distinctive and politically probing documentarians.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
Verb
This information was promising material for probing the link between sleep disorders and the heart, says Allison Gaffey, a clinical health psychologist at the Yale School of Medicine and an author of the new paper.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Its campaign against Ukraine did not begin in 2022 but unfolded gradually over years with disinformation campaigns and with cyber intrusions probing institutional resilience.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026
Perhaps most importantly, Berger insists that formalist approaches and levity are just as capable of probing religious and sociological subjects as narrative inquiries.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 27 Feb. 2026
At this point, Edwards had taken a few probing dribbles to get near the paint on the opposite side.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2026
Investigators are probing the role of McCrory, a longtime lawmaker since 2005 who currently co-chairs the legislature’s education committee.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
Led by Casey Harper, program director at the local Wild Oyster Project, the talk will examine the return of native Olympia oysters to the San Francisco Bay, probing what their recovery means for the region’s resilience and restoration.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
If not, consider asking them a series of probing questions.
—Ellen O’Brien, SELF, 23 Feb. 2026
Movies Raymond Depardon, who launched his career as a teen-aged photographer in the nineteen-fifties, turned to filmmaking in the seventies and became one of the era’s most artistically distinctive and politically probing documentarians.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probing
Noun
-
The school told the Herald the chat logs are part of an ongoing criminal investigation.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The New York investigation comes less than a week after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services halted Medicaid payments to Minnesota over fraud concerns.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So there once again may be cost-effective alternatives worth exploring for both buyers and owners.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of playing it safe, Greg attempts to emulate his book character, Rooster, by stepping out of his shell and exploring all that life at Ludlow has to offer, with mixed results.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are still searching for their three-man chemistry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The center will continue its mission of caring for native birds and wildlife, officials said, and begin searching for a new executive director.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The seven faculty members and administrators who approved his fall course declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries by the Herald/Times.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Following inquiries from media services asking for further information, the LaSalle Police Service issued a follow-up Thursday.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Social Security inspector general’s office is investigating allegations that the former DOGE engineer took sensitive data on a thumb drive in a major potential security breach, said people familiar with the process.—
Elizabeth Dwoskin,
Washington Post,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office is investigating 17 possible criminal incidents involving federal agents during the surge, including two civilian deaths and allegations of excessive force.—
Esme Murphy,
CBS News,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That mark has already advanced through the examination process and received a Notice of Allowance, meaning the company must now submit proof that the brand is being used in commerce before the registration can be finalized.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Advertisement With the case stalled, investigators decided to use polygraph examinations to test the credibility of their statements.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Military planners in Washington are examining a high-risk option to secure Iran’s near bomb grade uranium as uncertainty grows over where the material is located.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Investigators are examining their past travel, including trips to Turkey and potentially other locations known as terror training grounds.—
Ashley Carnahan , Alexis McAdams , CB Cotton,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With a continuous power supply in orbit, this technology could extend the lifespan and range of exploration missions, like future lunar bases and global space internet networks.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Kumo o sagasu is a literary memoir, an illness diary, a lyrical exploration of cultural difference and similarity all in one volume.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Probing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probing. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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