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
Alito’s humble, low-key approach was measured against Kennedy’s florid interrogations, a contrast that gained resonance after Alito’s wife, Martha-Ann, collapsed in tears at the hearing.
—Peter S. Canellos, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The jury watched the video of the 90-minute interrogation.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
The book’s playful interrogation of traditional gender expectations is sharpened with the introduction of 1855 Caleb, a fantasy and a nightmare, a stern, quiet man who Natalie finds both terrifying and alluring.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
When left alone in the interrogation room, a camera captured Marsha Allen deleting texts from her cell phone.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
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Peter S. Canellos, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The jury watched the video of the 90-minute interrogation.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
The book’s playful interrogation of traditional gender expectations is sharpened with the introduction of 1855 Caleb, a fantasy and a nightmare, a stern, quiet man who Natalie finds both terrifying and alluring.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
When left alone in the interrogation room, a camera captured Marsha Allen deleting texts from her cell phone.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 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 16 Apr. 2026.
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