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
Earlier this week, jurors heard two lengthy police interrogations of Colin Gray after the shooting.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Eric, who never had any suspicion on him before, was suddenly facing interrogations from onetime allies like Kristen Kish and even Maura Higgins.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
There is plenty to chew on within the script, but what seems missing is a more concrete interrogation of the ultimate downfall.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Based on reconstructed transcripts of Gein’s November 1957 confessions, the two-part film brings the interrogation to life using generative AI alongside a performance from an actor portraying the detective who led the case.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
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Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Eric, who never had any suspicion on him before, was suddenly facing interrogations from onetime allies like Kristen Kish and even Maura Higgins.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
There is plenty to chew on within the script, but what seems missing is a more concrete interrogation of the ultimate downfall.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Based on reconstructed transcripts of Gein’s November 1957 confessions, the two-part film brings the interrogation to life using generative AI alongside a performance from an actor portraying the detective who led the case.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Feb. 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 4 Mar. 2026.
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