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 next

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

Examples 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

Lee called for authorities to speed up their probes and said that an independent investigation by a special prosecutor should be launched as soon as possible. —

Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024 Investigators were working to determine the cause of the collision and the probe was ongoing. —

Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 13 Dec. 2024

Verb

Other Russian assault units are pushing fast towards Pokrovsk itself, with infantry units, sometimes only a few Russians strong, probing into villages and looking for holes in Ukraine’s increasingly porous defenses. —

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024 The poop was exhaustively analyzed by a research team of more than a dozen scientists using advanced techniques, and even a synchrotron particle accelerator, to probe each piece of excrement down to the molecular level. —

Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for probe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for probe

Verb

Experts from Congo's National Rapid Response Team and WHO have been deployed to Panzi last week to take samples and investigate, but the remote location—over 435 miles from Kinshasa—posed logistical challenges.

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Williams noted that the Department of Justice is still investigating allegations against the Alexander brothers, and urged others with information about the case to come forward.

Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024