as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims
a naturally questioning person, she demands rock-solid proof before she believes anything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in inquiry
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in challenging
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
the teenager openly questioned the authority of the town's police force to impose a curfew on residents under the age of 18
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pondering
to give serious and careful thought to
question your motives before you file the lawsuit: do you really care about the trees, or are you just trying to harass the neighbors?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in doubting
to have no trust or confidence in
it was apparent that voters were questioning the President's ability to manage the economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in asking
to put a question or questions to
the press should be allowed to question public officials about any matter of general interest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in interrogating
to put a series of questions to
the police questioned the suspect before deciding that there was insufficient evidence to hold him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of questioning
Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The footage, the lawsuit said, spans eight continuous hours, documenting Timberlake’s initial stop, the officer’s questioning, sobriety tests, the singer’s arrest and hours of his confinement over several hours.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Ryan Brennan
march 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026
In May 2023, detectives bought Nick Kassotis back to Georgia for questioning.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for questioning
Noun
Like several of Democratic senators, Padilla ended his questioning by calling on Noem to be removed from her position.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026
The footage, the lawsuit said, spans eight continuous hours, documenting Timberlake’s initial stop, the officer’s questioning, sobriety tests, the singer’s arrest and hours of his confinement over several hours.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
People who had been quietly questioning the Crumbl hype for years suddenly had a celebrity co-sign.
—Ryan Brennan
march 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026
In May 2023, detectives bought Nick Kassotis back to Georgia for questioning.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for questioning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questioning
Adjective
-
Judge Paul Friedman appeared skeptical of government claims that the policy is necessary for national security.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
There were skeptical voices at MWC, pointing out the failures of AI projects as well as the opportunities.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
6 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
-
Artificial intelligence systems do not possess human intelligence and therefore should not be granted rights or protections reserved for people, as evidenced by the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a case challenging the requirement that copyrightable works must have human authorship.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The judiciary, meanwhile, has taken itself largely out of the picture, limiting the legal avenues available for challenging the president’s use of force.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Anderson has been pondering it for a while.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The White House is still pondering what regulatory action to take.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There is no doubting the collective clout of Zuffa’s powerbrokers, who are amongst the most formidable dealmakers operating in world sport, so while this may be a new frontier, they will not be fazed.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
On Friday night, there was no doubting these Thomases.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the developers described the plan, residents began asking other questions, often interrupting.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Impacts could range from restrictions on pools and water parks, to temporarily shutting down water-intensive economic activities, including potentially some agriculture, and asking people to reduce their consumption, said Lambert in Doha.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Such works treat their characters as political beings with complex lives worth interrogating.—
Jake Pitre,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Even if your wardrobe leans more trendy, try interrogating yourself about certain pieces in your closet.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Cavello said the mayor was in contact with the police commissioner and receiving information on the protest, counterprotest and the suspicious devices.—
Mark Crudele,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The Mayor has spoken with Police Commissioner Tisch, and the NYPD is actively investigating the protest, counter-protest, and suspicious devices discovered outside Gracie Mansion.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Questioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questioning. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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