questioning 1 of 3

Definition of questioningnext

questioning

2 of 3

noun

questioning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of question
1
2
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

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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
Noun
The plan seemed impossible—intentionally walk into capture, face Nazi questioning, and make D-Day lies sound true. — Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026 Officers responded to that unit and took a man into custody for further questioning, Becchina said. — Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
After a week with so much questioning about how the Cowboys handled things in the final minute, Dallas executed this time around. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026 Certainly there were clear taboos, beginning with questioning the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party and criticizing the country’s central leadership. — Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for questioning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questioning
Adjective
  • The conservative-majority Supreme Court has been skeptical of environmental regulations in the past, including in a 2022 decision limiting the EPA's authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • And while The Atlantic has published largely skeptical coverage of major AI companies and their products’ impact on society, Thompson’s tone, in his podcasts and LinkedIn posts, has been more optimistic.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The official inquiry held gunman Mun Se-gwang solely responsible.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is seeking to stay in power, has been criticized over the lack of an official inquiry into the attacks, as well as reports that he was warned about them in advance.
    — Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has tried and failed to subdue Tigray’s rebellious leaders in recent months, with TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael openly challenging him.
    — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The past four seasons have been challenging, as the Trojans have shared districts with the likes of Southlake Carroll and North Crowley.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Newsom, who is pondering a 2028 presidential campaign, and the two men vying to replace him — Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton — oppose it.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In the stands, fans murmured beneath their breath, wondering what new math the Kiffin’s successor could be pondering.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Koltai remembers doubting his son Devyn’s suggestion to sell tote bags.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Oct. 2026
  • If Winston struggles badly again, though — and if the Giants start doubting Winston as deeply as the fans do at the moment — Harbaugh could become more aggressive in his hunt for a quarterback.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • That same day, at least one student received a disciplinary notice asking them to schedule a meeting with the student conduct administrator in less than two weeks.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • One example would be asking the agent to book a medical appointment.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • These beliefs were not inevitable; they were constructed through repetition, strategic messaging, and, most important, media coverage that echoed the administration’s line rather than interrogating it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The second part, though, is that AI provides opportunities for CEOs to have a virtual board of directors, a new person on the team, and a way of interrogating their own thinking which may reduce the loneliness of being a CEO.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Mongol rule had been deeply humiliating, and Ming leaders grew suspicious of foreign influence.
    — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The move comes as British counter-terrorism police investigate suspicious activity near the Royal Air Force station and amid reports that US commanders received new information about a possible threat involving Iran.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Questioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questioning. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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