questioning

[ kwes-chuh-ning ]
See synonyms for questioning on Thesaurus.com
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.

noun
  1. an inquiry or interrogation.

Origin of questioning

1
First recorded in 1795–1805; question + -ing2, -ing1

Other words from questioning

  • ques·tion·ing·ly, adverb
  • half-ques·tion·ing, adjective
  • half-ques·tion·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·ques·tion·ing, adjective

Words Nearby questioning

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use questioning in a sentence

  • By questioning, Lawrence found all of these parties had orders to join Porter at or near Paris.

  • Aunt Ri was a privileged character, but her logical method of questioning was inconvenient.

    Ramona | Helen Hunt Jackson
  • Eyes exchanged quick, anxious glances, questioning, expressive of dismay.

    Three More John Silence Stories | Algernon Blackwood
  • The agent's eyes were questioning Plenty Buffalo before the police chief had more than entered the doorway.

    Mystery Ranch | Arthur Chapman
  • "Yes, I have done pretty well," he said in reply to Varney's questioning gaze.

    The Weight of the Crown | Fred M. White

British Dictionary definitions for questioning

questioning

/ (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

Derived forms of questioning

  • questioningly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012