Synonyms of 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

• investigation
• inquiry
• examination
• exploration
• probe
• study
• research
• inspection
• delving
• inquisition
• disquisition
• inquest
• probation
• survey
• questionnaire
• audit
• interrogation
• examen
• quest
• diagnosis
• hearing
• question
• checkup
• query
• trial
• challenge
• poll
• check
• grilling
• cross-examination
• feeler
• soul-searching
• reinvestigation
• rehearing
• questionary
• self-examination
• quiz
• self-questioning
• self-scrutiny
• going-over
• self-reflection
• self-exploration

probing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of probe

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

• exploring
• investigating
• examining
• researching
• looking (into)
• inspecting
• digging (into)
• inquiring (into)
• scanning
• delving (into)
• studying
• checking into
• viewing
• checking up on
• sifting
• perusing
• surfing
• skimming (through)
• browsing
• thumbing (through)
• cruising
• reinvestigating

2

as in searching

to go into or range over for purposes of discovery

probing the depths of the undersea trench

Synonyms & Similar Words

• searching
• exploring
• hunting
• prospecting
• discovering
• skirring
• scouting
• disclosing
• revealing
• reconnoitering
• unearthing
• plumbing
• fathoming
• sounding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of probing

Noun

There was Wall Street Journal reporter Josh Dawsey, accepting an award for his relentless probing of the White House. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 July 2026

But neither of them seemed eager to undergo much emotional probing. — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026

Mission two was to do a lot of listening, a lot of probing, a lot of asking questions, skip levels to really understand the opportunity for the go forward, but also embrace what makes TIAA incredibly special. — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 22 June 2026

Davis’ ability to reflect and respond with his pithy probing of the disagreeing chord turned chaos into something cogent. — Steven D. Reske, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026

It’s composed of 22 bilaterally symmetric appendages that ring the nostrils and move independently, sweeping the substrate in continuous probing arcs. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

Here’s a probing, exclusive, in-depth conversation Benn had with The Athletic following Monday’s practice. — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

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

Verb

The criminal investigation into the allegations has been reopened, and New York Attorney General Letitia James’s office is reportedly probing Cornell University’s handling of the rape allegations made by the former student. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026

Look, ma, no authorization From July 28 to August 7, Microsoft said Wednesday, the company detected two distinct scanning tools probing the Internet for vulnerable endpoints. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026

But the guardrail that can’t tell an attacker probing a system from a responder trying to understand what just happened isn’t protecting anyone. — Chris Wysopal, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

If this scandal is not going to be repeated, further probing is essential. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Federal authorities probing her death are focusing their investigation in Los Angeles and are looking into whether the actor procured nonprescription pills from an area dealer. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Some are bringing production closer to home, while others are probing new markets for manufacturing. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

In total, this observatory could be probing the final frontier and making incredible discoveries for at least the next 22 years, taking it up to 2048 at minimum. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Having taken in her brother’s shocking news, Mahsa shifts from stunned sarcasm to profound sympathy and probing philosophical dialogue. — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026