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 audacious effort was designed to address the Voyagers’ constant dilemma—how to keep the probes running on an ever shrinking trickle of power. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 Clippers star Kawhi Leonard held a secret multi-million endorsement with Intuit Dome scoreboard maker Daktronics, echoing the Aspiration deal driving a yearlong NBA probe. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

But no comparable infrastructure exists to probe whether social media is addictive and how that addiction might be identified and treated, nor is there government funding to support it. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026 As blizzard conditions increasingly worsened, the search and rescue team laid the bodies together and covered them with a tarp, marking the spot with GPS coordinates and long poles used to probe for people buried under avalanches. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for probe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for probe

Noun

This year, the agency has already posted 20 investigations and says work remains active for 18 foodborne illness clusters.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
The Army notified his former patients there about the investigation and how to report any complaints, NBC News reported.

— Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of investigation

Verb

The new question is whether easy access to information diminishes human willingness to wonder and investigate deeply.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Chicago authorities are investigating a South Side funeral home after more than 50 bodies were discovered improperly stored and in various states of decomposition Thursday.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of investigate

Verb

The research, published in Chem Circularity, explores a system based on calcium looping, a process that uses the same basic material—limestone—that is already central to cement manufacturing.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026
Art fairs, collectors’ homes, artists’ studios, galas… The film is a welcoming and entertaining dive amongst the 1% and explores the complicated relationship between artists and commerce.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of explore

Noun

He was charged in December after the Army Criminal Investigation Division opened an inquiry in October following a complaint from a patient at Fort Hood.

— Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
Minnesota authorities began criminal inquiries after the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, having to fight the federal government to secure the relevant evidence.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of inquiry

Verb

Schrell examined whether annual production campaigns would be more effective, but concluded that the approach would not make economic or operational sense because of costs, limited hot-cell capacity and the isotope’s relatively short half-life.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Young Washington stars William Franklyn-Miller as Washington, which examines how a single misstep thrusts the future first president into the middle of a global conflict.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of examine

Verb

Authorities are searching for the driver of a van who struck a man in a wheelchair in Dania Beach and fled the scene, leaving the victim injured and his wheelchair damaged.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Right-wingers Manchester United have spent years searching for a long-term option on the right, and place three swings of the bat on this list.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of search

Noun

Becoming a therapist requires years of education, supervised practice, licensing examinations and often substantial student debt.

— Wayne Lonstein, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Modi late last month posted a selfie video on Instagram and Facebook addressing students over examination paper leaks that stirred nationwide protests.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of examination

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probatory

probe

probed

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“Probe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/probe. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of probe

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