DictionaryAI

questioning

KWESH-tuh-ning/ˈkwɛʃ.tə.nɪŋ/

6 meanings of questioning

Practice

  1. 1
    verb
    Present participle of question. Use this form for the ongoing act of asking someone about something.

    The lawyers were questioning the witness all morning.

    She kept questioning him about where he had been.

    Note
  2. 2
    noununcountable
    The act of asking questions to learn facts or get information.

    Like asking many small questions to slowly build up a full picture.

    Careful questioning by the doctor revealed the cause of the pain.

    The survey involved gentle questioning of hundreds of shoppers.

    Similarinquiry, polling, examination

    Note
  3. 3
    adjective
    Showing that you have questions, doubts, or a wish to know more.

    He raised a questioning eyebrow at her excuse.

    The child had a questioning look on her face.

    Similarquizzical, inquiring, puzzled, curious, doubtful

    Oppositeaccepting, trusting

    Note
  4. 4
    noununcountable
    The act of doubting or challenging something instead of just accepting it.

    Her constant questioning of the rules annoyed her boss.

    Science depends on the questioning of old ideas.

    Similarchallenging, doubting, scrutiny, skepticism

    Oppositeacceptance

  5. 5
    noununcountable
    Asking someone a lot of questions in a formal way, often by police.

    The suspect stayed silent during questioning.

    After questioning, the police released the man without charge.

    Similarinterrogation, examination, cross-examination, grilling

  6. 6
    adjective
    Not yet sure about your own sexual orientation or gender identity.

    The center offers resources for questioning youth exploring their identity.

    He came out as questioning before later identifying as bisexual.

    Note

questioning is a form of question

question, verb: To have or show doubts about whether something is true, right, or correct. Full entry

Forms
questionquestions he/she/itquestioning -ing formquestioned past tense, past participle
Spelling
question → questioning: add -ing

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of questioning apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from the word "question" plus "-ing."