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
The film’s most infamous scene, which might be considered of the original cinematic memes, features Tramell flashing her genitals to officers (and the audience) during an interrogation.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
Tom’s appointees on the task force include Lizzie (Alison Oliver), a state police officer who’s regularly tormented by her fellow cops, and Aleah (Thuso Mbedu), who wins over a suspect in interrogation by sharing awful details of her past.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
But these pairings prove to be more like therapy sessions than interrogations for the trio.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025
During Cardi B‘s civil trial over claims the rapper physically assaulted a security guard, footage from the court room battle was quickly memeified thanks to Cardi’s viral witness-stand interrogation.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrogation
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Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
Tom’s appointees on the task force include Lizzie (Alison Oliver), a state police officer who’s regularly tormented by her fellow cops, and Aleah (Thuso Mbedu), who wins over a suspect in interrogation by sharing awful details of her past.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
But these pairings prove to be more like therapy sessions than interrogations for the trio.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025
During Cardi B‘s civil trial over claims the rapper physically assaulted a security guard, footage from the court room battle was quickly memeified thanks to Cardi’s viral witness-stand interrogation.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2025.
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