questioning — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The action of asking questions; a survey; an inquiry.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   I didn’t know much about medical supplies, so I took the list Docc handed me without much questioning.

2. The act of challenging, wondering, and doubting.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. Interrogation.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The official Central News agency said a Nationalist patrol boat Dec. 28 captured six Communist spies disguised as fishermen as they approached within 1,000 yards of the Paichuan in a motorized fishing craft. They were taken to Matsu for questioning.

Adjective

1. Characterized by questions, inquisitiveness, doubt, or wonder; quizzical.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • usually

   Examples

   Why do you have a questioning look? Are you puzzled about something?

2. Unsure of one's sexual orientation or gender identity.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • usually

   Examples

   We entertain the boy and it becomes more evident that his dad is trans and he is questioning; my coworker keeps frowning about it.

   Girls broadly fared worse than boys, and there is “ongoing and extreme distress” among teens who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning (LGBQ+).

Adjective

1. perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

   Synonyms

   quizzical

   Examples

   he had a quizzical expression

2. marked by or given to doubt

   Synonyms

   doubtingskepticalsceptical

   Examples

   a skeptical attitude

   a skeptical listener

3. showing curiosity

   Synonyms

   inquisitivespeculativewondering

   Examples

   if someone saw a man climbing a light post they might get inquisitive

   raised a speculative eyebrow

Noun

1. a request for information

   Synonyms

   inquiring

   Broader terms

   requestasking