probe 1 of 2

noun

ˈprōb How to pronounce probe (audio)
Definition of probenext
as in investigation
a systematic search for the truth or facts about something a congressional probe into the accusations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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probe

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to investigate
to search through or into tabloid reporters who seem determined to probe every detail of the singer's private life

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
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 Court's marshal, Gail Curley, led the probe, which lasted eight months and ended in January 2023 with no one identified. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 The backlash led the U.S. Department of Justice to launch several probes into police departments across the country to investigate alleged misconduct. —Deena Zaru, ABC News, 25 May 2025
Verb
While state and local investigators continue to probe how the escape occurred, the incident has led Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson to suspend her re-election campaign, according to a May 20 social media post. —Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 22 May 2025 Authorities had to close down part of the road for about five hours, according to WPVI, and investigators are still probing who owns the tree. —Jillian Frankel, People.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for probe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probe
  1. investigate
  2. explore
  3. inquiry
  4. examine
  5. search
  6. examination
  7. exploration
  8. study
Verb
  • The National Transportation Safety Bureau is investigating the crash.
    — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 23 May 2025
  • The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is investigating the incident.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of investigate
Verb
  • This installation for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Cantor Roof Garden comprises four sculptural elements that explore the sonic and formal potential of simple stringed instruments.
    — Caitlin Woolsey, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • An award-winning Palestinian American writer tackles subjects including home, displacement and gestation in this lyrical memoir that explores the trauma of fractured identity.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
Definition of explore
Noun
  • But the teacher who wrote the Sept. 27, 2023, email included student names, and the teacher who wrote the Nov. 1, 2023 email provided student names in response to an inquiry by Williams-James, the two teachers told The Bee.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
  • The Oklahoma Department of Education and Walters' office did not respond to an inquiry from USA TODAY.
    — Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Definition of inquiry
Verb
  • Also, take some time to examine the perimeter of your yard to ensure any gates and fences are secure and don’t have any gaps through which your pup can easily escape.
    — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The other top challenge for companies is light, which includes examining the lights' color-rendering index and prioritizing low flickering and warm colors.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2025
Definition of examine
Verb
  • It had been visited by an investigator, searching for locations where someone may have spotted Chandler around the time of the murders.
    — Ruth Chenetz, CBS News, 31 May 2025
  • But despite searching for days with members of the community, Gardner and Fishlock had to return home to mainland Australia, leaving the island without her.
    — Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 30 May 2025
Definition of search
Noun
  • The latter two in particular are emblematic of Hayes’ examination of her broader player pool, with both stepping into more important roles given positional absences.
    — Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 1 June 2025
  • Closer examination reveals tensions that are more subtle but no less profound.
    — Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of examination
Noun
  • The public and private sectors must keep funding and extending collaboration in the rapidly changing landscape with research and development and exploration in order to solve the numerous issues that lie ahead and enhance our quality of life and safety.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • For more beach exploration, three additional Hampton Beaches are within a 15-minute drive: Dog Beach, Buckroe Beach and Park, and Lookout Beach, home to Paradise Ocean Club.
    — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2025
Definition of exploration
Noun
  • But in 2020, COVID arrived in the U.S., shuttering hundreds of research studies.
    — Jon Hamilton, NPR, 30 May 2025
  • The law was written to address the mounting issue of plastic pollution in the environment and the growing number of studies showing the ubiquity of microplastic pollution in the human body — such as in the brain, blood, heart tissue, testicles, lungs and various other organs.
    — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Definition of study

Browse Nearby Words

probatory
probe
probed
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Cite this Entry

“Probe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probe. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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