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 Word Forms

• probingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of probing¹

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

Example Sentences

Justice Department, which was probing the allegations of abuse by Epstein.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In June 1977 the Washington Post reported that the Justice Department was probing Diggs for receiving kickbacks from some of his congressional employees’ inflated salaries.

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The FBI has spent extensive time probing illegal gambling with ties to the Los Angeles area.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Authorities said they began probing these poker games in 2019, spanning multiple locations including the Hamptons, Las Vegas, Miami and Manhattan.

Read more on BBC

That hard-running style also extends to when Arsenal are in possession, with Gyokeres repeatedly making intelligent, probing runs to stretch and stress defences.

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Related Words

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