Word
questioning
Phoneticsques·tion·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkwɛstʃənɪŋ/
UK/kwˈɛstʃənɪŋ/
Definitions
01asking for information
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Law Formal
n. the act of asking someone questions, often in a formal way like by the police or in a meeting.
n. the systematic process of asking questions to elicit information or a confession; often used in legal or official contexts.
“After three hours of questioning, the police let the witness go home.”
“The suspect remained remarkably composed throughout the intense questioning, refusing to provide any details that might incriminate his associates.”
Synonyms
02doubting something
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act of showing that you have doubts about whether something is true or right.
n. the expression of doubt or the act of challenging the validity or truth of a statement or belief.
“His constant questioning of the rules made him unpopular with the manager.”
“The philosopher's rigorous questioning of established social norms paved the way for significant cultural reforms in the following decade.”
Antonyms
03showing curiosity or doubt
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. looking or acting in a way that shows you want to know more or that you are not sure about something.
adj. characterised by the expression of curiosity, inquisitiveness, or intellectual doubt.
“She gave him a questioning look when he said he was finished already.”
“The student raised a questioning hand, clearly unsatisfied with the professor's overly simplistic explanation of the economic crisis.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04identity exploration
C1 · Advanced General-service
adj. used to describe someone who is not yet sure about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
adj. pertaining to the process of exploring or being uncertain about one's sexual orientation or gender identity.
“The university provides a safe space for students who are questioning their identity.”
“The support group offers resources for questioning youth who may feel isolated while navigating their emerging sense of self.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“He was finally discovered by police at age 19 and forced to re-entered society, with many questioning if he was telling the truth about being raised by wolves.” “For Brown, the project offers a broader lesson about historical scholarship as an ongoing process of questioning, debate and discovery.” Etymology
From question + -ing (noun via Middle English questionyng).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/questioning