questioning

12 synonyms and 1 antonym for questioning, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The act of asking questions, especially formally, as in an investigation.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

searching inquiry wondering

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

interrogation skeptical speculative doubting

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

inquiring quizzical probing sceptical inquisitive

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The act of asking questions, especially formally, as in an investigation.

“The police continued their questioning of the witness late into the evening.”

inquiring quizzical probing searching inquiry interrogation

2. adj

Showing curiosity, doubt, or a desire to understand.

“The child's questioning nature meant she asked why about everything she saw.”

sceptical skeptical inquisitive speculative quizzical doubting wondering

Opposites

sure

How to use questioning

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

under questioning questioning look questioning mind

Etymology

From question + -ing.

Full origin of questioning →

Frequently asked questions

What does “questioning” mean?

The word “questioning” means the act of asking questions, especially formally, as in an investigation. In plain terms, the act of asking questions, a curious or doubtful expression, or being unsure about one's identity.

How do you pronounce “questioning”?

“Questioning” is pronounced KWEHS-chuh-nihng (/ˈkwɛʃ.tə.nɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “questioning” in a sentence?

Here is “questioning” used in a sentence: “The suspect was taken in for questioning.”

What part of speech is “questioning”?

Depending on how it is used, “questioning” can be a noun and an adjective.

Is “questioning” a common word?

“Questioning” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “questioning” have?

“Questioning” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of asking questions, especially formally, as in an investigation.

What is the difference between questioning and interrogation?

Questioning is the general act of asking questions, and it can be neutral or friendly as well as formal. Interrogation implies formal, sustained, and often aggressive questioning, typically of a suspect by police or officials, so it carries a much harsher tone.

People also searched

sure wondering searching inquiry skeptical interrogation speculative doubting probing sceptical quizzical inquiring

Nearby words

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