questioning

[kwes-chuh-ning]

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.

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of questioning¹

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

Example Sentences

Gen. Rob Bonta to investigate separately, questioning the independence of the report.

From Los Angeles Times

Other far-right social media users took the rhetoric and ran with it, questioning Fateh’s citizenship and further maligning Somalia in the process.

From Salon

When Jason died in September 2024 the family found the immediate aftermath - which involved police questioning and an inquest - confusing and intimidating.

From BBC

Police discovered a video after one of the detainees revealed it under questioning, according to Javier Alonso, security minister for Buenos Aires province.

From BBC

Even on the government payroll one minister worries, "the country is desperate for a disrupter, and it's just not who he is," questioning whether Starmer can be the right man for this political moment.

From BBC

Related Words

• examination