interrogation

noun

in·​ter·​ro·​ga·​tion in-ˌter-ə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce interrogation (audio)
plural interrogations
Synonyms of interrogationnext
: 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
And 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.
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 interrogationJim Sparks
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
interrogational adjective

Examples of interrogation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In general, officers must read a defendant their Miranda rights before an in-custody interrogation, Saland explained to CNN. Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025 Instead, the often low-rung crews are detained for interrogation, in the hope of shedding light on shady drug kingpins, gang operations and distribution networks. Simon Owen , Greg Palkot, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025 In the Netflix docuseries, footage is shown from the police interrogation room during the night Ray was killed. Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025 Caleb isolates the Volstrucker assassin that's been stalking them after a botched interrogation. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for interrogation

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interrogation was in 1534

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Cite this Entry

“Interrogation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogation. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.

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