Thesaurus results for 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

Relevance

probing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of probe

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

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

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

Verb

Counterterror police are leading the investigation into the ambulance arson attack, and probing a claim of responsibility posted on social media by a group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which translates as the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right. —

ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026 The Justice Department relented later that month amid mounting pressure, and Deputy Attorney Todd Blanche announced that the probe would be handled in part by the Civil Rights Division, whose criminal section specializes in probing color-of-law claims against law enforcement officers. —

Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026 Counterterrorism police are leading the investigation into the ambulance arson attack, and probing a claim of responsibility posted on social media by a group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, which translates as the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right. —

Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026 This is the gap Beijing is quietly probing in every round of negotiations. —

Ram Charan, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026 Jonathan Cute kept probing the murky realms between tourism and treachery. —

Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026 By probing deeper into outer-borough New York and its agrarian history, White complicates our traditional understanding of slavery as rural and southern, showing how memories of that peculiar institution shape contemporary urban life as well. —

Omari Weekes, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026 That’s better, but concerted control of the ball and probing for quality scoring chances remains a work in progress for Minnesota. —

Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2026 Thune was also asked if the public would benefit from an open session with members probing administration officials. —

Ted Barrett, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for probing

Noun

The investigation suggests corruption extends to the most senior ranks of South Africa’s establishment, but also demonstrates authorities’ willingness to do something about it after years of complacency, one of the journalists who uncovered the graft told the Financial Times.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The school received additional information in May 2024 and filed a ChildLine report with the state, but a criminal investigation began only after parents notified law enforcement, according to an investigation by the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.

— Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026