An inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities:
— There was a congressional probe into the scandal.

synonym: investigation.

Roget 262: perforator, piercer, borer, auger, chisel, gimlet, stylet^†, drill, wimble^†, awl, bradawl, scoop, terrier, corkscrew, dibble, trocar [Med.], trepan, probe, bodkin, needle, stiletto, rimer, warder, lancet; punch, puncheon; spikebit^†, gouge; spear etc. (weapon) 727; puncher; punching machine, punching press; punch pliers.    ... show more

Roget 208: depth; deepness etc. adj.; profundity, depression etc. (concavity) 252.    hollow, pit, shaft, well, crater; gulf etc. 198; bowels of the earth, botttomless pit^†, hell.    soundings, depth of water, water, draught, submersion; plummet, sound, probe; sounding rod, sounding line; lead.    bathymetry.    [instrument to measure depth] sonar, side-looking sonar; bathometer^†.    ... show more

Roget 463: experiment; essay etc. (attempt) 675; analysis etc. (investigation) 461; screen; trial, tentative method, t=atonnement.    verification, probation, experimentum crucis [Lat.], proof, (demonstration) 478; criterion, diagnostic, test, probe, crucial test, acid test, litmus test.    crucible, reagent, check, touchstone, pix^†; assay, ordeal; ring; litmus paper, curcuma paper^†, turmeric paper; test tube; analytical instruments etc. 633.    empiricism, rule of thumb.    feeler; trial balloon, pilot balloon, messenger balloon; pilot engine; scout; straw to show the wind.    speculation, random shot, leap in the dark.    analyzer, analyst, assayist^†; adventurer; experimenter, experimentist^†, experimentalist; scientist, engineer, technician.    subject, experimentee^†, guinea pig, experimental animal.    [experimental method] protocol, experimental method, blind experiment, double-blind experiment, controlled experiment.    poll, survey, opinion poll.    epidemiological survey [Med.], retrospective analysis, retrospective survey, prospective survey, prospective analysis; statistical analysis.    literature search, library research.    tryout, audition.    [results of experiment] discovery etc. 480; measurement etc. 466; evidence etc. 467.    [reasoning about an experiment] deduction, induction, abduction.    ... show more

Dutch: antecedentenonderzoek, doorlichting, sonde

A flexible slender surgical instrument with a blunt end that is used to explore wounds or body cavities.

Dutch: sonde
Polish: sonda, zgłębnik

An exploratory action or expedition.

Dutch: sonde

An investigation conducted using a flexible surgical instrument to explore an injury or a body cavity.

Dutch: sonde
Polish: sondowanie, zgłębnikowanie

Question or examine thoroughly and closely.

synonym: examine.

Roget 461: make inquiry etc. n.; inquire, ask, seek, search.    look for, look about for, look out for; scan, reconnoiter, explore, sound, rummage, ransack, pry, peer, look round; look over, go over, look through, go through; spy, overhaul.    [object is a topic] ask about, inquire about.    scratch the head, slap the forehead.    look into every hole and corner, peer into every hole and corner, pry into every hole and corner; nose; trace up; search out, hunt down, hunt out, fish out, ferret out; unearth; leave no stone unturned.    seek a clue, seek a clew; hunt, track, trail, mouse, dodge, trace; follow the trail, follow the scent; pursue etc. 662; beat up one's quarters; fish for; feel for etc. (experiment) 463.    investigate; take up an inquiry, institute an inquiry, pursue an inquiry, follow up an inquiry, conduct an inquiry, carry on an inquiry, carry out an inquiry, prosecute an inquiry etc. n.; look at, look into; preexamine; discuss, canvass, agitate.    [inquire into a topic] examine, study, consider, calculate; dip into, dive into, delve into, go deep into; make sure of, probe, sound, fathom; probe to the bottom, probe to the quick; scrutinize, analyze, anatomize, dissect, parse, resolve, sift, winnow; view in all its phases, try in all its phases; thresh out.    bring in question, bring into question, subject to examination; put to the proof etc. (experiment) 463; audit, tax, pass in review; take into consideration etc. (think over) 451; take counsel etc. 695.    question, demand; put the question, pop the question, propose the question, propound the question, moot the question, start the question, raise the question, stir the question, suggest the question, put forth the question, ventilate the question, grapple with the question, go into a question.    [human object], question, put to the question, interrogate, pump; subject to interrogation, subject to examination; cross-question, cross-examine; press for an answer; give the third degree; put to the inquisition; dodge^†.    catechize.    require an answer; pick the brains of, suck the brains of; feel the pulse.    get the lay of the land; see how the wind is blowing; put one's ear to the ground.    be in question etc. adj.; undergo examination.    ... show more

Roget 466: measure, mete; determine, assay; evaluate, value, assess, rate, appraise, estimate, form an estimate, set a value on; appreciate; standardize.    span, pace step; apply the compass etc. n.; gauge, plumb, probe, sound, fathom; heave the log, heave the lead; survey.    weigh.    take an average etc. 29; graduate.    ... show more

Examine physically with or as if with a probe:
— Probe an anthill.

synonyms: dig into, poke into.