questioning

American  

[kwes-chuh-ning] / ˈkwɛs tʃə nɪŋ /

adjective

1. indicating or implying a question.

   a questioning tone in her voice.

2. characterized by or indicating intellectual curiosity; inquiring.

   an alert and questioning mind.

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noun

1. an inquiry or interrogation.

questioning British  

/ ˈkwɛstʃənɪŋ /

adjective

1. proceeding from or characterized by a feeling of doubt or uncertainty

2. enthusiastic or eager for philosophical or other investigations; intellectually stimulated

   an alert and questioning mind

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Other Word Forms

• half-questioning adjective
• half-questioningly adverb
• questioningly adverb
• unquestioning adjective

Etymology

Origin of questioning

First recorded in 1795–1805; question + -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

I’ve scarcely made it home and past Mom’s regular “how was your swim” line of questioning when she texts three times in a span of two minutes.

From Literature

Suspecting Al-Nourji of trying to misdirect them, the police held him for questioning.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’ve been thinking a lot about how the careers that my kids would excel at probably won’t exist, and questioning what they will do instead,” said another.

From The Wall Street Journal

Huw Williams, who founded Big Dog Coffee in 2020, is one of the many who set up his business to be pet friendly "without any questioning".

From BBC

A fairly sizeable upgrade to the Red Bull seemed to make no difference, followed by further comments questioning his future.

From BBC

Related Words

• examination