Definition of INQUIRE

Choose the Right Synonym for inquire

ask, question, interrogate, query, inquire mean to address a person in order to gain information. ask implies no more than the putting of a question. ask for directions question usually suggests the asking of series of questions. questioned them about every detail of the trip interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning. the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation. queried a librarian about the book 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

Examples of inquire in a Sentence

When I inquired, they told me she was not here. We inquired the way to the station. “So, what do you want?” he inquired.

Recent Examples on the Web Japan would be likely reach out diplomatically to the state where he'd been detained, and inquire whether that nation would be receptive to a formal extradition request. — Fortune, "Carlos Ghosn Is Now a Fugitive In Exile. Here Are His Legal Options, According to Experts," 10 Jan. 2020 After Yu Hsin-Hsien was elected to the City Council that year in Taoyuan, a city near Taipei, mysterious strangers began inquiring about buying his Facebook page, which had around 280,000 followers. — Raymond Zhong, New York Times, "Awash in Disinformation Before Vote, Taiwan Points Finger at China," 6 Jan. 2020 Cooper said the emails show state department officials said that the Ukrainian Embassy knew about the hold on security assistance and were inquiring if they should be concerned. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, The Denver Post, "Editorial: Timeline of President Trump and Ukraine," 17 Dec. 2019 The official said Mulvaney began inquiring more urgently about the call only weeks later, after the whistleblower report surfaced. — Author: Greg Miller, Josh Dawsey, Greg Jaffe, Anchorage Daily News, "Mulvaney emerges as key facilitator of campaign to pressure Ukraine," 16 Oct. 2019 Just as other parents would like to know if there are guns or alcohol in the home before a play date, Post says inquiring about cannabis is fair game. — Allison Volpe, chicagotribune.com, "How parents can talk to kids (and other parents) about cannabis in a shifting landscape," 16 Sep. 2019 Just as other parents would like to know if there are guns or alcohol in the home before a play date, Post says inquiring about cannabis is fair game. — Allie Volpe, Washington Post, "How parents can talk to kids (and other parents) about cannabis in a shifting landscape," 12 Sep. 2019 The agreement was reached earlier this year, a week after the Globe began inquiring about the negotiations. — Milton J. Valencia, BostonGlobe.com, "Did this environmental group cross the line? Or does an overdeveloped waterfront need defending?," 18 May 2018 The Browns almost immediately reached out to inquire about McDaniels and Roman, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams are not confirming the Browns’ interest. — Tom Withers, The Denver Post, "Browns request to interview Josh McDaniels, Greg Roman, AP source says," 30 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inquire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.