interrogate

verb in·ter·ro·gate \ in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt , -ˈte-rə- \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: interrogate in a Sentence

Definition of interrogate

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

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interrogatee

play \in-ˌter-ə-(ˌ)gā-ˈtē\ noun

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interrogation

play \in-ˌter-ə-ˈgā-shən\ noun

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interrogational

play \in-ˌter-ə-ˈgā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See interrogate defined for English-language learners

See interrogate defined for kids

Examples of interrogate in a Sentence

interrogate a prisoner of war
interrogated him about where he'd gone the night before

Recent Examples of interrogate from the Web

In it, longtime Texas Monthly writer Mimi Schwartz interrogates the who, what, where, when, and why of the artificial heart.

— wired staff, WIRED, "12 Books You Must Read This Summer," 25 May 2018
Upon his arrival in Tehran, the water management expert was detained and interrogated, and several years’ worth of his photos and emails were confiscated.

— richard stone, Science | AAAS, "An Iranian researcher went home to serve his country. Now, ‘I realize that I’m lucky I’m not in prison.’," 24 May 2018
Not only is this a striking exploration of what a trauma survivor’s thoughts might look like, Sarvaria uses a shattered narrative style to interrogate the idea of nationality and identity.

— nina maclaughlin, BostonGlobe.com, "Graphic novel’s battle between high, low art; celebrating youth writing and 826 Boston," 18 May 2018
Thomas, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said American officials have been able to interrogate the two detainees.

— CBS News, "Slain American's mom reacts to capture of alleged ISIS executioners," 9 Feb. 2018
Brandon was holding the golf club kind of interrogating this kid.

— steven ruiz, For The Win, "Blake Bortles tells true story of an 18-year-old allegedly trying to steal his truck," 15 May 2018
But this is why the subject needs to be interrogated.

— jane levere, Smithsonian, "What Happens When Art History Gets Refigured," 9 May 2018
To start, Monroe threw herself into a new type of self-interrogating songwriting for her new album.

— jon bernstein, GQ, "Ashley Monroe Is the Beating Heart of Old-School Country," 8 May 2018
Murnane is conspicuously absent from the list of Australian writers who have answered the call to celebrate or interrogate Australianness.

— ryu spaeth, The New Republic, "Gerald Murnane’s Endless Island," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interrogate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of interrogate

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

interrogate Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector

INTERROGATE Defined for English Language Learners

interrogate

verb

Definition of interrogate for English Language Learners

: to ask (someone) questions in a thorough and often forceful way

INTERROGATE Defined for Kids

interrogate

verb in·ter·ro·gate \ in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt \

Definition of interrogate for Students

interrogated; interrogating

: to question thoroughly

Police interrogated a suspect.

Law Dictionary

interrogate

transitive verb in·ter·ro·gate \ in-ˈter-ə-ˌgāt \

legal Definition of interrogate

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.

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