interrogate

verb

in·​ter·​ro·​gate in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt 

-ˈte-rə-

interrogated; interrogating

transitive verb

1

: to question formally and systematically

2

: to give or send out a signal to (a device, such as a transponder) for triggering an appropriate response

interrogatee

in-ˌter-ə-(ˌ)gā-ˈtē 

noun

Synonyms of interrogate

• ask
• question

Choose the Right Synonym for interrogate

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 interrogate in a Sentence

interrogate a prisoner of war

interrogated him about where he'd gone the night before

Recent Examples on the Web

By resisting the siloing of art by geography and chronology, the rehang interrogated the style and substance of European modernism, as well as the ways later generations of artists reclaimed those histories. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026

The second part, though, is that AI provides opportunities for CEOs to have a virtual board of directors, a new person on the team, and a way of interrogating their own thinking which may reduce the loneliness of being a CEO. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Brittin has spent his early months in the job interrogating whether the broadcaster’s output is properly meeting audience needs and is said to be clear-eyed about shifting resources away from services that are dwindling in influence. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026

The previous investigations were stalled because Haitian judges kept resigning from the case, fearing for their lives, and gangs seized control of the downtown Port-au-Prince courthouse where the judges were interrogating suspects. — Evens Sanon, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin interrogatus, past participle of interrogare, from inter- + rogare to ask — more at right

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interrogate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

interrogate

verb

in·​ter·​ro·​gate in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt 

interrogated; interrogating

: to question formally and thoroughly

interrogation

-ˌter-ə-ˈgā-shən 

noun

interrogator

-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt-ər

noun

Legal Definition

interrogate

transitive verb

in·​ter·​ro·​gate in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt 

interrogated; interrogating

: to question formally and systematically

especially : to gather information from (a suspect) by means that are reasonably likely to elicit incriminating responses see also miranda rights

Note: Under Rhode Island v. Innis, 446 U.S. 291 (1980), interrogating includes not just express questioning, but also any words or actions that the police should know are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response. Asking questions that are normally asked in the course of arrest or booking (such as questions about name or age) is not considered interrogation.

interrogation

in-ˌter-ə-ˈgā-shən 

noun

interrogator

in-ˈter-ə-ˌgā-tər 

noun