probing

[ proh-bing ]

adjective

1. examining, investigating, or exploring something in a deep or searching way:

   There was scarcely any discussion of the proposal—no probing questions, and no legal or ethical issues raised.

noun

1. the act or practice of examining, investigating, or exploring something in a deep or searching way:

   Constant probing of the night sky by scientists reveals an abundance of activity within our solar system.

2. the act of examining or exploring something by means of a probe or any of various instruments, devices, etc.:

   Probing of the blocked duct was done under anesthesia.

3. Computers. the process of scanning a network, database, webpage, web app, etc., in order to obtain information about its structure and any security weaknesses that could be used to launch an attack: undertaken either maliciously by hostile parties, or diagnostically and preventively by those wishing to improve security.

Other Words From

• pro·bing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of probing¹

First recorded in 1660–70; 2000–05 gauging fordef 3; probe ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective sense; probe ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

"We've introduced training right across the force and a specialist risk assessment to enable all staff to ask really probing questions to identify potential cases."

From BBC

A wide wooden railing keeps probing eyes several feet away, and a deep buffer of camera-wielding tourists jostles for a snap to prove that they’d been in the presence of — well, not divinity, exactly, but close enough.

From Los Angeles Times

In the end, we got plenty of tears, as she appeared to repeatedly wilt under probing questioning, but few concrete answers.

From BBC

The film, which features intimate photos, diary entries and letters from her personal archive, notably includes a probing interview with Stewart in which she appears both cagey and brutally honest.

From Los Angeles Times

He first came to Trump’s fond attention as the congressman who most virulently spoke out against the officials probing the then president’s various alleged improprieties, most notably the Mueller commission delving into tales of Trump’s collusion with Russia.

From Slate

Related Words

• astute
• discerning
• incisive
• insightful
• penetrating
• perceptive
• piercing
• subtle
• trenchant