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probe

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verb

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as in to explore
to go into or range over for purposes of discovery probing the depths of the undersea trench

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb probe differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of probe are enter, penetrate, and pierce. While all these words mean "to make way into something," probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge.

probed the depths of the sea

When is it sensible to use enter instead of probe?

In some situations, the words enter and probe are roughly equivalent. However, enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in.

entered the city in triumph

When is penetrate a more appropriate choice than probe?

The meanings of penetrate and probe largely overlap; however, penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance.

the enemy penetrated the fortress

When might pierce be a better fit than probe?

While in some cases nearly identical to probe, pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument.

pierced the boil with a lancet

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 probe
Noun
The reported completion of that probe would follow the Pentagon’s recent blacklisting of Chinese container shipping giant Cosco Shipping, which the U.S. Department of Defense now designates as a Chinese military company. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 14 Jan. 2025 Special counsel’s biting defense of Trump Jan. 6 probe Jack Smith. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
Live updates: Winds prolong fire risk as investigators probe electric tower as possible origin of Eaton fire Two of the victims have been officially identified by the county agency. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025 This pacey, polished diversion finds its cast too funny to bother probing far into such matters. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 12 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for probe 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probe
Verb
  • Family, friends mourn death of 9-year-old boy in Florida City On Tuesday, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the shooting, arrested 19-year-old Montreal Savontae Jackson Jr.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The Pulaski County sheriff's office is investigating Ireland's death.
    Remington Miller, arkansasonline.com, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • There is a private yacht cruise in Macquarie Harbour, a visit to the Port Arthur penal colony, Australia's most historic site, and the fun of exploring Hobart's Salamanca Market.
    Everett Potter, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • The educational exhibits here are all about hands-on play, from the Music Makers Studio, to the Construction Zone, to All About Art, where kids can explore the six elements of the visual arts.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Michael Washburn, Florida Department of Transportation spokesman, said he’s gotten inquiries about the shirts from a bowling team, veterans groups, national radio shows, and a British newspaper.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Spokespeople for Virginia, Virginia Tech, VCU and Old Dominion either declined comment or did not respond to email inquiries.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Created by the Anne Frank House and presented in partnership with the Center for Jewish History, the entire installation aims to examine Anne Frank’s life — and death — with a scope not often found in other treatments of this chapter in history.
    Laurel Graeber, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
  • According to Scheer, the league will examine more than 20 proposals from interested parties.
    Hailey Salvian, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Authorities are searching for a man accused of stabbing an off-duty Atlanta police officer during a confrontation after a hit-and-run over the weekend.
    Landon Mion, Fox News, 20 Jan. 2025
  • In October, 1985, Lammy watched the TV coverage of a riot that broke out on the Broadwater Farm Estate, a social-housing project two streets away from his house, when a Black woman died of heart failure after her apartment was searched by the police.
    Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • TikTok is not the first technology company with Chinese ties to face intense regulatory examination in Washington.
    Meaghan Tobin, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Velasquez also remains out of jail custody, which has been his status since Bocanegra granted him $1 million bail and monitored release after a November 2022 preliminary examination that advanced his case toward trial.
    Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps slightly more explicit and definitely more feminist, but thoroughly goofy in its exploration of the proclivities of the title characters.
    Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025
  • However, robotic exploration of this region could determine whether the ocean was ever present — and if life could have existed within it.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Building with wood instead of concrete and steel in 80% of new buildings would, according to a 2020 study by Aalto University and the Finnish Environment Institute, help offset half of Europe’s construction industry emissions.
    Maddy Savage, TIME, 18 Jan. 2025
  • In 2023, a study by the International Journal for Educational Integrity found that AI detection tools produced inconsistent results, including false positives.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near probe

Cite this Entry

“Probe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probe. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on probe

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