interrogation
noun
in·ter·ro·ga·tion
in-ˌter-ə-ˈgā-shən 
plural interrogations
: the act of interrogating someone or something: such as
a
: a formal and systematic questioning
She conducted a skillful interrogation of the witness.
It was old-fashioned interrogation and eavesdropping that first led U.S. intelligence agents to the … plotters.—
Michael Isikoff
Michael IsikoffAnd during interrogation, instead of just listening for inconsistencies in what is said, agents are being taught to look for minute physical reactions on the faces of people being questioned.—Ann Davis et al.
Ann Davis et al.
b
: the sending of an electronic signal intended to trigger a particular response from something (such as a transponder)
The airborne equipment measures the time between the interrogation and the return signal, and converts this time measurement into a mileage reading on our instrument panel, on either a dial or digital counter.—Joseph W. Benkert
Joseph W. BenkertExamples of interrogation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But Thursday’s interrogation was not a forum for a constructive discussion on how universities can navigate the balance between maintaining free speech and protecting students from discrimination.
—Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024
Read More: Trump and Hush-Money Trial’s Central Witness Share a Tortured History
Known for his hot temper, Cohen has remained mostly calm on the witness stand despite sometimes heated interrogation by the defense about his misdeeds and the allegations in the case.
—Michael R. Sisak, Jennifer Peltz, TIME, 20 May 2024
For a Palestinian, the simple admission of identifying with Hamas counts as an act of terrorism that permits Israeli authorities to use severe interrogation methods and long detention.
—Mark Mazzetti Jonathan Davis Anna Diamond David Mason, New York Times, 16 May 2024
During the interrogations of the film crew, the intelligence forces asked them to pressure me to withdraw the film from the Cannes Festival.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 May 2024
The lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland alleges that during its investigation the school required sorority members to submit to mandatory interrogations by attorneys retained by the university under the threat of discipline.
—Dillon Mullan, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2024
In an interrogation video obtained by ABC News, Coley McCraney denied ever knowing the girls or having anything to do with their murder.
—Marcus Mewborn, ABC News, 10 May 2024
On Tuesday, the Twin Falls Police Department, Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office and Rupert Police Department arrested the man at his place of residence, the affidavit reported, and he was transported to the Twin Falls Police Department for interrogation.
—Eden Turner, Idaho Statesman, 9 May 2024
What begins as an inhumane interrogation turns into a true torment: wrong people have been kidnapped.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 May 2024
Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024
Read More: Trump and Hush-Money Trial’s Central Witness Share a Tortured History
Known for his hot temper, Cohen has remained mostly calm on the witness stand despite sometimes heated interrogation by the defense about his misdeeds and the allegations in the case.
—Michael R. Sisak, Jennifer Peltz, TIME, 20 May 2024
For a Palestinian, the simple admission of identifying with Hamas counts as an act of terrorism that permits Israeli authorities to use severe interrogation methods and long detention.
—Mark Mazzetti Jonathan Davis Anna Diamond David Mason, New York Times, 16 May 2024
During the interrogations of the film crew, the intelligence forces asked them to pressure me to withdraw the film from the Cannes Festival.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 May 2024
The lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland alleges that during its investigation the school required sorority members to submit to mandatory interrogations by attorneys retained by the university under the threat of discipline.
—Dillon Mullan, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2024
In an interrogation video obtained by ABC News, Coley McCraney denied ever knowing the girls or having anything to do with their murder.
—Marcus Mewborn, ABC News, 10 May 2024
On Tuesday, the Twin Falls Police Department, Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office and Rupert Police Department arrested the man at his place of residence, the affidavit reported, and he was transported to the Twin Falls Police Department for interrogation.
—Eden Turner, Idaho Statesman, 9 May 2024
What begins as an inhumane interrogation turns into a true torment: wrong people have been kidnapped.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interrogation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near interrogation
Cite this Entry
“Interrogation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogation. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
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