inquisition

noun

in·​qui·​si·​tion ˌin-kwə-ˈzi-shən 

ˌiŋ-

1

a

capitalized : a former Roman Catholic tribunal for the discovery and punishment of heresy

b

: an investigation conducted with little regard for individual rights

c

: a severe questioning

2

: a judicial or official inquiry or examination usually before a jury

also : the finding of the jury

3

: the act of inquiring : examination

inquisitional

ˌin-kwə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nᵊl 

ˌiŋ-

adjective

Did you know?

While an inquiry can be almost any search for truth, the related word inquisition suggests a long, thorough investigation that involves extensive and harsh questioning. Though the two words originally had about the same meaning, today inquisition tends to remind us of the Spanish Inquisition, an ongoing trial conducted by church-appointed inquisitors that began in the Middle Ages and sought out nonbelievers, Jews, and Muslims, thousands of whom were sentenced to torture and to burning at the stake.

Synonyms

• delving
• disquisition
• examen
• examination
• exploration
• inquest
• inquiry
• investigation
• probation
• probe
• probing
• research
• study

Examples of inquisition in a Sentence

His political enemies were conducting an inquisition into the details of his personal life.

there's no need to conduct an inquisition about so trivial a matter

Recent Examples on the Web

By the time Ono came before his second trial by inquisition, this one at the hands of the governors of the State University System, the counterassault was well and truly underway. —Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025

Biden's physical and mental decline in office and its cover up by those around him is a legitimate scandal worthy of inquisition. —Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025

This eccentric novel—by turns a workplace comedy, a philosophical inquisition, and a smorgasbord of bodily horror—is given life by Larraquy’s electric prose and by the merciless passions of his characters. —The Atlantic, 15 May 2025

The show is set in 15th century Europe at a time of inquisition, a time when heretics are burned at the stake and it is essentially forbidden to look at the stars. —Rafael Motamayor, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inquisicioun, from Anglo-French inquisition, from Latin inquisition-, inquisitio, from inquirere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for inquisition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

inquisition

noun

in·​qui·​si·​tion ˌin-kwə-ˈzish-ən 

1

: the act of inquiring

2

: inquest

3

a

capitalized : a former Roman Catholic court for the discovery and punishment of heresy

b

: an investigation conducted with little concern for individual rights

c

: a severe questioning

inquisitional

-ˈzish-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

adjective

Legal Definition

inquisition

noun

in·​qui·​si·​tion ˌin-kwə-ˈzi-shən, ˌiŋ- 

1

: the act of inquiring or examining

2

: a judicial or official inquiry or examination usually before a jury

also : the finding that results from such an inquiry