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)
A transponder will send an identifying coded signal in response to a transmitted interrogation …—Jim Sparks
Jim SparksThe 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
Saunders’ interrogation of Tolstoy’s Master and Man is filled with urgent physical life, including, in a stunning denouement, the death of one man on top of another.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Under interrogation, no one can be their true self.
—Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 19 May 2026
The historical Barbie is described as very sadistic, physically aggressive — someone who enters a room and strikes people on the head, leaving them unconscious during interrogations.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
The Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission reported that during Day’s interrogation, Detective Kenneth Boudreau stood by as another detective choked and threatened to throw Day out the window.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
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Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Under interrogation, no one can be their true self.
—Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 19 May 2026
The historical Barbie is described as very sadistic, physically aggressive — someone who enters a room and strikes people on the head, leaving them unconscious during interrogations.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
The Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission reported that during Day’s interrogation, Detective Kenneth Boudreau stood by as another detective choked and threatened to throw Day out the window.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
Cite this Entry
“Interrogation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogation. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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