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
Federal agents subjected them to interrogations and even incarceration.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
During his tenure, Jennings has: Effectively fired four officers and a supervisor who knew Harold Easter had swallowed cocaine during a traffic stop in January 2020 but failed to render any aid, instead leaving him alone in an interrogation room for more than 10 minutes.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2025
The film is also an introspective interrogation of Cruise's stardom, confronting its main character with uncomfortable realities: his world is artificial, insulated, and fleeting, and his multimillion-dollar good looks could disappear in an instant.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025
As Puzzles’ arrest and interrogation unfolded, meanwhile, Akasha had gotten a phone call from his cousin.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michael Luo, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
During his tenure, Jennings has: Effectively fired four officers and a supervisor who knew Harold Easter had swallowed cocaine during a traffic stop in January 2020 but failed to render any aid, instead leaving him alone in an interrogation room for more than 10 minutes.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2025
The film is also an introspective interrogation of Cruise's stardom, confronting its main character with uncomfortable realities: his world is artificial, insulated, and fleeting, and his multimillion-dollar good looks could disappear in an instant.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025
As Puzzles’ arrest and interrogation unfolded, meanwhile, Akasha had gotten a phone call from his cousin.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
Cite this Entry
“Interrogation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogation. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share