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
Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Speaking to Variety at the Thessaloniki festival, the director explained how his film — spanning the better part of a decade across both Europe and Syria — is a probing exploration of the pursuit of justice that is nevertheless rooted in the personal histories of countless Syrians like him.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
A week after the event, Arizona’s acting special agent in charge for HSI, Matthew Murphy, told the state attorney general’s office that his office was now probing the 2020 election in Arizona, according to a person familiar with the details of the meeting.
—Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
Unlike traditional threats, which rely heavily on human hackers manually probing systems, AI enables autonomous, adaptive, and large-scale operations.
—Don Aviv, Time, 7 Mar. 2026
Released just before his 75th birthday and featuring five of his longtime bandmates, the jazz guitarist’s latest album takes stock of a life spent gently probing the limits of his instrument.
—Archie Forde, Pitchfork, 6 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
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
The complaint alleges that Martin – after being told to not directly communicate with judges – sent another letter to the chief judge demanding that the court suspend the investigator probing his conduct and dismiss the case against him.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Speaking to Variety at the Thessaloniki festival, the director explained how his film — spanning the better part of a decade across both Europe and Syria — is a probing exploration of the pursuit of justice that is nevertheless rooted in the personal histories of countless Syrians like him.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
A week after the event, Arizona’s acting special agent in charge for HSI, Matthew Murphy, told the state attorney general’s office that his office was now probing the 2020 election in Arizona, according to a person familiar with the details of the meeting.
—Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
Unlike traditional threats, which rely heavily on human hackers manually probing systems, AI enables autonomous, adaptive, and large-scale operations.
—Don Aviv, Time, 7 Mar. 2026
Released just before his 75th birthday and featuring five of his longtime bandmates, the jazz guitarist’s latest album takes stock of a life spent gently probing the limits of his instrument.
—Archie Forde, Pitchfork, 6 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probing
Noun
-
Halsey said the women’s identities were reduced to billboard images during the investigation of their deaths.—
Jane Horowitz,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The protest comes on the heels of the investigation in The New York Times detailing allegations of abusive behavior and exploitative labor practices inside Noma’s Copenhagen kitchen from 2009 to 2017.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And, as volatility persists across parts of the broader market and other economic concerns linger, many retirement savers are exploring assets that historically hold value during periods of uncertainty.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The breathable mesh upper moves with your feet, and gives the perfect stretch needed to accommodate everything from exploring a new city to sprinting between airport gates.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
12 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
-
That element of the investigation was the focus of a recent TV report, which tied the inquiry to whether the couple used their authority for financial and professional gain.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The lack of any basis to pursue voter fraud investigations into the 2020 election in Nevada raises further questions about why similar inquiries are being pursued in other swing states, including Georgia and Arizona, and why there is probable cause to suggest fraud occurred in those other states.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
12 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
-
Taurus April 20 – May 20 The cosmic breeze is carrying fascinating scents, drawing you out of your comfort zone into curious explorations.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Ever since the final years of the original space race, NASA has been unrivaled as the world leader in space sciences and space exploration.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Probing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probing. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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