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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of probing
Mark Carey, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
According to reporting from Reuters, India’s textile exporters are feverishly probing European markets for new opportunities.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Federal investigators probing the home explosion said a fiber optic contractor that had been working near the home that was destroyed drilled into an unmarked gas line operated by Liberty Utilities.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
The Americans started brightly and confidently, getting control in midfield and probing with intent, but chances were rare, with the first real effort somewhat accidental as Zavier Gozo’s cross from the left clipped the top of the bar.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
For weeks, House Oversight Committee chair James Comer has been probing how the Biden White House staff covered up former President Joe Biden’s mental decline, and all the liberal TV networks can’t locate it.
—Tim Graham, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
Pettigrew said the team will use drones, sonar and magnetometers to examine the site before probing the sediment and eventually excavating it using a hydraulic dredge.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Experts said such confrontations, whether routine intercepts, training scrambles, or probing flights, are common worldwide and can become politically sensitive when publicized.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
In 2023, while probing what origami was doing in papers about the Ising model, Galashin came across a question that caught his attention.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 6 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
Reconnaissance via Teams Attackers start by probing Teams environments to find weak spots.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
According to reporting from Reuters, India’s textile exporters are feverishly probing European markets for new opportunities.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Federal investigators probing the home explosion said a fiber optic contractor that had been working near the home that was destroyed drilled into an unmarked gas line operated by Liberty Utilities.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
The Americans started brightly and confidently, getting control in midfield and probing with intent, but chances were rare, with the first real effort somewhat accidental as Zavier Gozo’s cross from the left clipped the top of the bar.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
For weeks, House Oversight Committee chair James Comer has been probing how the Biden White House staff covered up former President Joe Biden’s mental decline, and all the liberal TV networks can’t locate it.
—Tim Graham, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
Pettigrew said the team will use drones, sonar and magnetometers to examine the site before probing the sediment and eventually excavating it using a hydraulic dredge.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Experts said such confrontations, whether routine intercepts, training scrambles, or probing flights, are common worldwide and can become politically sensitive when publicized.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
In 2023, while probing what origami was doing in papers about the Ising model, Galashin came across a question that caught his attention.
—Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probing
Noun
-
He has not been seen in public since March, but the investigation of his activities had not previously been disclosed by Chinese authorities.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Related Stories Ofcom’s investigation found that the documentary’s failure to disclose that the 13-year-old narrator’s father held a position in the Hamas-run administration constituted a material breach of rules requiring factual programs to provide audiences with accurate information.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Natural History Museum’s grand setting — home to exhibits exploring the origins of life and the cosmos — provides a fitting backdrop for the awards ceremony, aimed to bring together leaders across government, private industry and academia.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Visitors can get a taste of Southern California’s legendary cultural diversity by exploring unique enclaves like Cambodia Town, a one-mile stretch of businesses and restaurants home to the largest population of people of Cambodian descent outside of Southeast Asia.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Many common airfare booking hacks, like searching on a Tuesday or using incognito mode, are myths according to travel experts.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Police are searching for a 24-year-old man who allegedly fired into a restaurant, injuring two teenagers.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The inquiry followed a media report alleging Umland touched the tops of a student’s breasts during the trip while applying sunburn treatment in a hotel room, the agency’s records show.—
Danielle DuClos,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The company’s new parental controls come after the Federal Trade Commission launched an inquiry into several tech companies, including Meta, over how AI chatbots could potentially harm children and teenagers.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Troopers were investigating a report of a person lying in the right lane of traffic near a service truck parked on the shoulder with its hazard lights flashing, the release says.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Authorities have been tracking several phone numbers involved in Scott’s case and investigating whether any other individuals were involved with the kidnapping.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Advertisement A number of those released on Monday were then airlifted to hospital nearby for further checks after each hostage was given an initial medical examination.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The moral and human cost will be a lasting stain and requires accountability and real examination of our collective conscience and our government’s policies.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pritzker suggested that the Illinois Attorney General and local state’s attorneys may be examining allegations of misconduct and wrongdoing within DHS.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Several films offer immediate responses to critical current events, while others take time to reflect, examining the social realities and challenges shaping people’s lives today.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Yet a life so big and complicated is always ripe for further exploration.—
Jeff Pearlman,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
-
From dirtbags to gym rats With origins in Alpine exploration, rock climbing developed as a sport in late-19th century Europe.—
Kelli María Korducki,
HubSpot,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Probing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probing. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share