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
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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
Theoretical as this question might seem, the stakes could be high. Caroline Tien, SELF, 1 July 2025 Kodak Black and Dreezy shared a candid moment where an innocent question resulted in an awkward interaction. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
The list was removed from the department’s official website days later, after local officials across the country questioned their jurisdictions’ inclusions and criticized the department for a lack of transparency in the process, according to NPR. Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 June 2025 Winn questioned why New York City’s Parks Department tacitly permitted dogs to run off leash illegally in Central Park, but would not allow coyotes to remain. David Lei, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for question
Recent Examples of Synonyms for question
Noun
  • On Monday afternoon, when the heat index was again over 100 degrees, these second-floor offices had to close because of problems with the ventilation system.
    Lily Carey, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • Earlier in the week, American Airlines dealt with another dramatic problem with a connection to the Charlotte airport.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Only if the request meets the criteria above is anonymity granted.
    Meghan Ashford-Grooms, NPR, 29 June 2025
  • Florida Emergency Management and ICE did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Reports have indicated that Punk had the option to turn down performing at the event but did not voice any objections.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
  • If leaders moved ahead without altering the provisions, the measures could be challenged, requiring a 60-vote threshold to overcome objections.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Rice has been a hot-button topic in Japan, with surging prices and shortages leading to empty shelves in supermarkets across the country.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 26 June 2025
  • Throughout the hearing, Kobach advocated against the merits of climate public nuisance suits, using previous dismissals as evidence of the lack of feasibility of such claims, a topic which Sen. Cruz also discussed during his questioning.
    David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Career and workplace expert, Laura Gassner Otting, understands that the shift from classroom memorization to real-world, hands-on learning can be challenging for recent grads.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Since the storm, local officials have been hit with challenging questions about why the children in the camps and others living along the river were not warned to evacuate.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • The Senate continues to debate the bill before sending it back to the House.
    Jay O'Brien, ABC News, 30 June 2025
  • The extent of the damage to Tehran’s nuclear program has been hotly debated ever since.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • There’s no doubting Mbeumo would be a strong signing for Manchester United, but this is a team with far too much rebuilding to do this summer to waste too much time on the pursuit of a single player.
    Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Prosecutors countered with a Polaroid employee who said the film had not even been manufactured until five months after the crime, a blow to the defense’s credibility that left jurors doubting Pratt’s other claims.
    Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • This approach allows for subtle control over speech rhythm and tone, giving the user the ability to interrupt, emphasize, or ask questions just as anyone else would.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • The drama wasn't over after the final vote -- Murkowski appeared exasperated when asked about Paul's criticism over her vote and what deals Alaska might have benefitted from.
    Isabella Murray, ABC News, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Question.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/question. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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