A searching question or look is intended to discover the truth about something.
They asked her some searching questions on moral philosophy and logic.
Synonyms: keen, sharp, probing, close More Synonyms of searching
2. See also soul-searching
searching in British English
(ˈsɜːtʃɪŋ)
adjective
keenly penetrating
a searching look
Derived forms
searchingly (ˈsearchingly)
adverb
searchingness (ˈsearchingness)
noun
searching in American English
(ˈsɜrtʃɪŋ)
adjective
1.
examining or exploring thoroughly; scrutinizing; thorough
2.
sharp; piercing; penetrating
the searching wind
Derived forms
searchingly (ˈsearchingly)
adverb
Examples of 'searching' in a sentence
searching
He heard the uncertain steps coming closer, feet searching across each landing to the next flight.
Robert Wilson THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2004)
People will still be searching Elaine's face for the secret of goodness.
Fay Weldon NOTHING TO WEAR AND NOWHERE TO HIDE: A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES (2004)
Thus far, they had found no need to avoid or in any way change course for searching U. S. warships or patrol aircraft.
Patrick Robinson BARRACUDA 945 (2004)
In other languages
searching
British English: searching ADJECTIVE
A searching question or look is intended to discover the truth about something.
They asked her some searching questions on moral philosophy and logic.
American English: searching
Brazilian Portuguese: perscrutador
Chinese: 探寻的 >问题、目光
European Spanish: penetrante
French: pénétrant
German: prüfend
Italian: inquisitivo
Japanese: 探るような
Korean: 탐색하는
European Portuguese: perscrutador
Latin American Spanish: penetrante
All related terms of 'searching'
search
If you search for something or someone, you look carefully for them.
heart-searching
examination of one's feelings or conscience
soul-searching
Soul-searching is a long and careful examination of your thoughts and feelings, especially when you are trying to make a difficult moral decision or thinking about something that has gone wrong .
searching question
A question is something that you say or write in order to ask a person about something.
search out
If you search something out , you keep looking for it until you find it.
body search
If a person is body searched , someone such as a police officer searches them while they remain clothed. Compare → strip-search .
strip-search
If a person is strip-searched , someone such as a police officer makes them take off all their clothes and searches them, usually to see if they are carrying drugs or weapons . Compare → body search .
(adjective)
Definition
keen or thorough
asking searching questions
Synonyms
keen
a keen eye for detail
sharp
The wind was not as sharp and cruel as it had been.
probing
close
His recent actions have been the subject of close scrutiny.
severe
intent
piercing
He fixes you with a piercing stare.
penetrating
a penetrating stare
thorough
I was a thorough little academic snob.
quizzical
Opposites
superficial
,
sketchy
,
cursory
,
perfunctory
Additional synonyms
in the sense of close
Definition
careful, strict, or searching
His recent actions have been the subject of close scrutiny.
Synonyms
careful,
detailed,
searching,
concentrated,
keen,
intense,
minute,
alert,
intent,
thorough,
rigorous,
attentive,
painstaking,
assiduous
in the sense of penetrating
Definition
tending to or able to penetrate
a penetrating stare
Synonyms
perceptive,
searching,
sharp,
keen,
alert,
probing,
discerning
in the sense of piercing
He fixes you with a piercing stare.
Synonyms
perceptive,
searching,
aware,
bright,
sharp,
keen,
alert,
probing,
penetrating,
shrewd,
perspicacious (formal),
quick-witted
Nearby words of
searching
search
search for something or someone
search me!
searching
searing
seasickness
seaside
Related terms of
searching
search
search for something or someone
Synonyms of 'searching'
searching
Explore 'searching' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of sharp
Definition
(of pain or cold) acute or biting
The wind was not as sharp and cruel as it had been.