questioning

[ kwes-chuh-ning ]
See synonyms for questioning on Thesaurus.com
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.

Origin of questioning

1
First recorded in 1795–1805; question + -ing2, -ing1

Other words from questioning

  • ques·tion·ing·ly, adverb
  • half-ques·tion·ing, adjective
  • half-ques·tion·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·ques·tion·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use questioning in a sentence

  • Jack and Pepper watched Ritter closely and then looked questioningly at each other.

    The Mystery at Putnam Hall | Arthur M. Winfield
  • Elder Covil performed the double ceremony, and looked questioningly at me, as if doubtful whether I were in my right mind or not.

    The Cromptons | Mary J. Holmes
  • "I left them in the hall," she explained, as Dorette looked up questioningly, having just re-entered.

    Joyce's Investments | Fannie E. Newberry
  • She stood beside the little piano for a moment with a roll of music in her hand, and looked at Hubert questioningly.

    A Life Sentence | Adeline Sergeant
  • Lake looked at him questioningly as he entered the control room and he said, "She'll live."

    Space Prison | Tom Godwin

British Dictionary definitions for questioning

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

Derived forms of questioning

  • questioningly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012