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
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
as in inquiry
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 questioning
David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The prosecution’s line of questioning appeared to try to bolster the two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution that Combs also faces, legal experts say.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 24 June 2025
Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Dec. 2024
Many families are prioritizing financial stability over the prestige of a brand-name college, questioning whether the investment in a traditional college education is always the right choice.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for questioning
Adjective
That line of questioning led to a remarkable and explosive exchange.
—David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
The prosecution’s line of questioning appeared to try to bolster the two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution that Combs also faces, legal experts say.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 24 June 2025
Noun
Police later arrested the man and are questioning him.
—Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Dec. 2024
Many families are prioritizing financial stability over the prestige of a brand-name college, questioning whether the investment in a traditional college education is always the right choice.
—Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for questioning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questioning
Adjective
-
That included 83% of Democrats but just 33% of Republicans, who tend to be more skeptical of climate change.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
-
Lee also points out North Korea's poor infrastructure and vulnerability to geopolitical fluctuations as reasons to be skeptical about its tourism ambitions.—
Se Eun Gong,
NPR,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
Today big tech is aggressively challenging long-standing legal protections in copyright law, in intellectual property, fair data practices and data privacy protections.—
Hessie Jones,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265, which went on an historic two-and-a-half week strike in March after negotiations for a new contract broke down, had filed a petition with the Sixth District Court of Appeal on April 1, challenging the ruling of the Santa Clara County Superior Court.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
While producers pondering where to set their next movie will surely be tempted, this does come at a time when those in Hollywood especially are desperate to bring production back to home shores.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Murphy, who has launched a group called the American EV Jobs Alliance to try to build bipartisan support for electric vehicles, has spent years pondering why more Republicans won't buy them.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has silenced critics doubting his Ferrari move after securing the Chinese Grand Prix sprint race victory.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Soon, he was flooded with messages from a group text thread of his best friends, sharing social media posts doubting McCollum.—
CJ Moore,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The plaintiffs are asking the court to block the administration’s order, which puts Haitians at risk of being returned to a country overrun by deadly gangs.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The Purple One was not pleased when his band started asking questions.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The New York Times, which first broke the news of Ryan's resignation, reported on Thursday that the Justice Department was pressuring Ryan to step down in order to resolve a civil rights inquiry into the university.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
Sustainable Beef didn't immediately reply to an inquiry for more information about the company.—
Serenah McKay,
Arkansas Online,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, security teams must expand visibility with tools that monitor AI use, flag suspicious behavior and inventory every AI-enabled app.—
Jason Vest,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Why else, the night Mrs. Palit invited us to dinner, did my eyes fall on suspicious dark objects, not much larger than prominent flecks of salt, in the dal?—
Jhumpa Lahiri,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
In February, disputing rumors of a cancellation late last year, HBO confirmed alongside a first-look image that production for season 3 of Euphoria would begin in early 2025 with the same main cast members set to return.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
This can be helpful for disputing charges and clearing your record.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Questioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questioning. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share