VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

questioning

noun, adjective, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈkwestʃənɪŋ/
US/ˈkwestʃənɪŋ/

“questioning” is a form of “question”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The act of asking someone a series of questions, especially in an official inquiry.

    Grammar: No plural: the suspect was held for questioning.

    Patterns

    • under questioning
    • for questioning
    • questioning of someone

    Police took him in for questioning.

    Under questioning, she admitted she had been there.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Showing curiosity or doubt, as in a look or an expression.

    Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: a questioning look.

    Patterns

    • a questioning look

    She gave him a questioning look.

    His questioning mind makes him a good scientist.

  3. noununcountable

    A period of exploring or being unsure about your identity, beliefs or sexuality.

    Grammar: Used as a general, respectful term, often in the abbreviation LGBTQ.

    Patterns

    • a period of questioning

    Teenagers often go through a period of questioning.

    The group welcomes people who are questioning.

  4. verbtransitive

    -ing form of question: asking someone questions, or doubting something.

    Grammar: The present participle of question.

    Patterns

    • be questioning someone

    The detective is questioning a witness.

    She keeps questioning the results.

Common combinations

under questioning
Under questioning, he changed his story.
a questioning look
She gave a questioning look.
in for questioning
He was called in for questioning.
questioning mind
A questioning mind helps in research.

Synonyms and how they differ

interrogation
Interrogation is more intense and suggests harsh, thorough questioning.
inquiring
Inquiring describes a curious attitude and sounds friendlier.
doubtful
Doubtful stresses a lack of trust, not curiosity.

Opposites

acceptinganswering

Word family

question noun
something asked to get information
questionable adjective
open to doubt
unquestioning adjective
accepting without doubts

Commonly confused: questioning or questionable?

questioning vs questionable

Questionable means doubtful or suspicious; questioning describes the act of asking or showing doubt.

Practice

The suspect was held for ____ at the station.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “questioning”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words