question 1 of 2

1
as in problem
an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge because I have missed so many classes, I had a hard time answering every question on today's surprise quiz

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in request
an act or instance of asking for information after reading the brief statement to the reporters, the lawyer ended the press conference by saying, "No more questions, please" the dozens of questions researched by the reference librarians

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4

question

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to challenge
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of the teenager openly questioned the authority of the town's police force to impose a curfew on residents under the age of 18

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to doubt
to have no trust or confidence in it was apparent that voters were questioning the President's ability to manage the economy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in to ask
to put a question or questions to the press should be allowed to question public officials about any matter of general interest

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5
as in to examine
to put a series of questions to the police questioned the suspect before deciding that there was insufficient evidence to hold him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb question contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of question are ask, inquire, interrogate, and query. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

When can ask be used instead of question?

Although the words ask and question have much in common, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

In what contexts can inquire take the place of question?

While in some cases nearly identical to question, inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

When could interrogate be used to replace question?

The meanings of interrogate and question largely overlap; however, interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When would query be a good substitute for question?

In some situations, the words query and question are roughly equivalent. However, query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of question
Noun
But as the fearsome storm unfolded, perplexing science questions emerged, said Joshua Wadler, an associate scientist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach who was aboard the flights on Kermit with Hazelton. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025 Yet these forums seem to imply that the responsibility for answering these questions lies with parents rather than with their kids. Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
Last month, Carroll publicly questioned Kelly’s play calling, suggesting the Raiders needed to run with greater frequency and incorporate more play-action into their attack while relying less on the shotgun formation. Michael Silver, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025 At the event, which saw hundreds of people in attendance, law enforcement restrained individuals and set up tents to question them about their immigration status. Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for question
Recent Examples of Synonyms for question
Noun
  • For a writer of a book that’s politically informed and deals with culture and history, this creates a big problem.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • That solves a lot of problems, a lot of ills of society.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Kirill Kaprizov, who showed his frustration after Anthony Mantha’s empty-net goal by shooting the puck against the boards and then removing his number from the board that listed media requests following the game, scored the lone goal for Minnesota.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • In 2022, Fox Weather had reported that United Airlines would abandon its request for passengers to open window shades upon landing after quietly beginning to encourage it in 2020.
    Staff Author, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • No one in an NFL building is going to raise an objection when team brass decides to honor team ownership.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • This was an objection that was raised in the ancient world, and that persisted through the time of Galileo.
    Big Think, Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Lasky also integrates tangential but no-less-compelling topics, like the show-stopping style of Iris Apfel and her influence on Lasky’s mother, and Lasky’s evergreen obsession with The Shining.
    Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The rise of autocratic Russia and China has challenged this global order.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Kimberly-Clark has been attempting to challenge the dominance of consumer goliath Procter & Gamble, whose business spans all drugstore aisles, including cold and digestion medicines.
    NPR, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • If the White House must be remade, let there be a plan; let it be debated; let the financing be transparent and free of kickbacks and corruption.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The Cleveland Browns drafted two rookie quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft, a move that was highly debated at the time and a storyline that hasn't gone away since.
    Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At first, even the scientists doubted it could be done.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Despite positives, Apple naysayers continue to doubt the stock due to management’s underwhelming artificial intelligence rollout.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There was no picture of Krasznahorkai anywhere and somebody came up to him and asked why?
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Hall, a first-term Republican from Rudy, has asked a judge to seal filings in the case.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Question.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/question. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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