as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims
a naturally questioning person, she demands rock-solid proof before she believes anything
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in inquiry
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in challenging
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
the teenager openly questioned the authority of the town's police force to impose a curfew on residents under the age of 18
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pondering
to give serious and careful thought to
question your motives before you file the lawsuit: do you really care about the trees, or are you just trying to harass the neighbors?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in doubting
to have no trust or confidence in
it was apparent that voters were questioning the President's ability to manage the economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in asking
to put a question or questions to
the press should be allowed to question public officials about any matter of general interest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in interrogating
to put a series of questions to
the police questioned the suspect before deciding that there was insufficient evidence to hold him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of questioning
John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Senators, with their staffs, do extensive background research on the nominee, which helps inform their questioning.
—The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Police say the officers were questioning the driver when Rivera, who was in the passenger’s seat, suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Diller.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for questioning
Noun
That was followed days later by an executive abruptly collapsing during questioning and being taken away by ambulance, only for doctors to later find no serious medical issue, the media report said.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Senators, with their staffs, do extensive background research on the nominee, which helps inform their questioning.
—The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas sent a letter to the school district on Wednesday questioning the use of the school district’s logo in an advertisement for the program of the Broward Democratic Party’s 2026 Obama Roosevelt Legacy Gala, which was held last month in Sunrise.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Police say the officers were questioning the driver when Rivera, who was in the passenger’s seat, suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Diller.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for questioning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questioning
Adjective
-
However, some analysts remain skeptical.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
But that was rejected by voters, and even though 61% of voters signaled support for the millionaire tax in 2024 in a nonbinding referendum, some lawmakers were still skeptical a binding amendment would get voters' blessing.—
Ben Szalinski,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His inquiry surfaces a history of abuse, homophobia, and despair, and the film uses the tragedy to probe questions of moral accountability and collective indifference in Hong Kong.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) cited national security and cybersecurity risks posed by reliance on Chinese models as a reason for the joint inquiry.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meeting a partner’s family can be challenging in any circumstance; anxieties about a family member saying something rude or belittling can only compound that.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Alexis and a group called Friends of the Plaza are challenging the city’s use of an emergency exemption to decommission the sculpture.—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The two-term governor, who is seeking a third term in November while pondering a potential 2028 White House bid, is viewed favorably by 68% of Chicagoans and unfavorably by 20%.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Gary Thuerk, of the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), was pondering how to advertise upcoming demonstrations in California of his company’s latest computers.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
SROs have been controversial, with critics doubting on-campus law enforcement’s efficacy in responding to school shootings.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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While not doubting his capabilities and dedication, some have questioned Velasco’s relative lack of experience in a prestige post traditionally occupied by party notables with decades of public service.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But a sport that has no problem changing longstanding rules to allegedly improve the game shouldn’t be shy about asking fans what’s needed to make going to the ballpark a more enjoyable experience.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
His is a method of ruthless practicality, of taking apart mathematics piece by piece and asking what is necessary.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But those comparisons won’t do The White Lotus any favors, since Beef is more effective than that series’ second and third seasons in interrogating how exclusive locations sharpen class differences.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
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Season 50 is honoring its past and legacy, actively interrogating it, dropping players from different eras into direct competition and letting the game itself reveal what has changed and what hasn’t.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Water testing has been temporarily increased to once a month at the Oceanside Harbor after someone reported seeing a suspicious liquid dumped from a boat.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In October, Havens ran off after attendees at a school volleyball game notified a Will County sheriff’s office school resource officer of suspicious behavior, according to a sheriff’s news release at the time.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Questioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questioning. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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