Thesaurus results for PROBE

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

probe 1 of 2

noun

ˈprōb

Definition of probe

as in investigation

a systematic search for the truth or facts about something a congressional probe into the accusations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

probe

2 of 2

verb

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

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 probe was opened after the Justice Department received a referral from DHS' Office of Inspector General, which shared its findings in recent weeks. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 The probe into StubHub comes as the company and the rest of the secondary ticketing business faces increasing government scrutiny, as fans continue to voice their frustrations over high ticket prices. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

As costs kept climbing, many health economists were reluctant to probe the wasteful spending that accompanied the consolidation frenzy. — Dana P. Goldman, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026 On Wednesday, two IP addresses from Canada and the Netherlands, which have been flagged as malicious, were frequently connecting to the honeypots, apparently to probe for vulnerabilities. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for probe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for probe

Noun

Court records show that the investigation into the initial allegations was inconclusive.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Omar has denounced the investigations as a politically motivated conspiracy against her, and used it to urge supporters to donate to her reelection campaign.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of investigation

Verb

Documenting the location and the robot's identification number can help officials investigate a complaint.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Charlotte Water investigates reports of violations through staff observations and complaints from the public.

— Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of investigate

Verb

The Swedish polymath explores the sounds, language, and imagery of Americana on a drolly observational singer-songwriter album.

— Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
The series explores the unsettling collision of ancient witchcraft beliefs and modern digital dating culture.

— Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of explore

Noun

Kotlikoff did not immediately respond Tuesday to an email inquiry about Jane Doe’s letter.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
The inquiry asked about the NBA’s role in the matter, possible discipline and whether the teams would be instructed to be present for the anthem before Wednesday’s Game 3.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of inquiry

Verb

Chinese researchers have examined Russia’s use of reconnaissance drones to locate targets and direct strikes.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Investigators examined allegations involving more than 300 victims spanning from 1950 through 2011.

— Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of examine

Verb

But at sea, Spanish guarda costas (armed customs officials) pounced on British ships, allegedly searching for goods being smuggled in for sale.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Oct. 2026
Planning and workflow platforms already allow buyers to search inventory, map locations, analyze audiences, compare formats and manage campaigns.

— Denys Kanel, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of search

Noun

The national police are in possession of Thomas Markle’s computer, Philippines interior minister Jonvic Remulla told the outlet, to conduct a digital forensic examination.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Just as in his examination of Captain Sully or his exploration of parenting or an episode about cloned puppies, Fielder is uninterested in the technical realities or the concrete, easily provable facts.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of examination

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probatory

probe

probed

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Style

“Probe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probe. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of probe

noun

verb

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