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 company cut ties with Santos after federal investigators launched the probe into his betting. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 As part of the probe, investigators took samples of an unidentified coating on the rails near the crash and submitted it for analysis. — Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Verb

In Sarah Pekkanen’s new thriller, The Women in White, a young health-care aide probes how four female participants in a 1964 parapsychology experiment suddenly vanished. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026 Democrats have also had their share of foot-in-the-mouth moments when probed about their takes on geopolitics. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for probe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for probe

Noun

The incident was reported Tuesday, off the Omani coast, the UKMTO said, which added that the resulting fire had been extinguished, all crew members were reported safe, and an investigation was underway.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Jeff Pope is penning a drama about the investigation into Everard’s 2021 murder for the BBC.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of investigation

Verb

Virtue Asia will present Why Brands Need Entertainment, Not More Content, exploring how brands can move from advertising around culture to actively creating the stories and characters audiences choose to follow.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Șerban draws on her own experience to explore identity and belonging from a Roma woman’s perspective.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of explore

Verb

Movie night this past week was Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River, an absolutely devastating neo-Western that examines the injustice many Native American women face on and off the reservation.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Now, in this new study, the international team examined the curious fossil under cross-polarized light, allowing more of its structure to be visible.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of examine

Verb

That led Cramer to search for companies that could benefit from lower oil prices while offering downside protection through a sizable dividend.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
In July, Indigenous leaders in neighboring Brazil sought government protection after five men carrying machine guns entered their territory, threatened families and searched for community leaders.

— Steven Grattan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of search

Noun

Swelling and spinal shock can cloud the earliest neurological picture, and physicians repeat examinations over time for good reason, as many people once given a grave prognosis go on to recover.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Brown is scheduled to travel with the major-league team back to Chicago after Wednesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks for further examination.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of probe

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verb

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