probe 1 of 2

Definition of probenext

probe

2 of 2

verb

1
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 probe would need to keep its rocket engine on the whole time; otherwise, it would be pulled in by the celestial body’s gravity. Govert Schilling, Scientific American, 27 June 2026 The source familiar with the 2024 fire probe said city inspectors now have questions following this new blaze about how the company handled the recovery from the last incident. Josh Boswell, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Verb
Austrian privacy laws discourage journalists from asking probing questions, but a quick-witted reporter in Salzburg had retrieved years of Plamberger’s posts, presumably before lawyers could tell him to lock his accounts. William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Lozano's firm probed clients for issues at home or work, then spun them as abuse cases that didn't meet the threshold for these humanitarian programs, according to attorneys representing dozens of her old clients. ABC News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for probe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for probe
Noun
  • Baglio has since been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal and internal administrative investigations, police said.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • According to a Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner death investigation report obtained by USA TODAY on July 1, Ransone's brother told an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department that the actor had a history of suicidal ideation.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Counties investigate these cases, and officials acknowledge that fraud exists, but neither the state nor local property appraisers publish verifiable statewide fraud statistics.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • The incident, which authorities are investigating, occurred 30 nautical miles (around 55 kilometers) southwest of Yemen’s Red Sea port of Al Hudaydah, UKMTO said.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Many works around the country explored new electronic music technology.
    Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • There's a full rainbow of primal prints to explore, like this flowing calf-print caftan from Moroccan designer Fadila El Gadi.
    Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • This will trigger a hard credit inquiry that will temporarily lower your credit score several points.
    Dan Avery, CNBC, 1 July 2026
  • To stop seeking answers is a choice to dim a light that has guided human inquiry for millennia.
    Florencia Canelli, Scientific American, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Link to earlier discovery The new findings come less than a year after Perseverance examined a rock called Cheyava Falls, which scientists described as one of the most intriguing samples collected on Mars.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 June 2026
  • Take a couple of minutes to examine one testicle at a time.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Prosecutors argued during the hearing that the murders were premeditated, as a cup that was in front of Benning in a photo was missing when police searched the scene.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • Kamran said rescuers were searching through the rubble after receiving reports that more children could be trapped beneath the debris.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Mission two was to do a lot of listening, a lot of probing, a lot of asking questions, skip levels to really understand the opportunity for the go forward, but also embrace what makes TIAA incredibly special.
    Fortune Editors, Fortune, 22 June 2026
  • Davis’ ability to reflect and respond with his pithy probing of the disagreeing chord turned chaos into something cogent.
    Steven D. Reske, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Noun
  • The agency has not indicated when that review will conclude, and the final scope of any patent could change during the examination process.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
  • The findings came after Crump and the child's family pushed for an independent examination and called for transparency and accountability in the investigation into the June 14 shooting.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Probe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probe. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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