in·ter·rog·a·to·ry
ˌin-tə-ˈrä-gə-ˌtȯr-ē 
plural interrogatories
: a formal question or inquiry
especially
: a written question required to be answered under direction of a court
Examples of interrogatory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
In January, attorneys for the injured woman filed a motion to compel the White Sox and their security to respond to pre-trial interrogatories and documents requests.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
And then the second dinner table scene at the end is much less flattering, much more interrogatory.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 13 Mar. 2025
This might come in the form of a request for production of documents or things, a request for admissions, interrogatories or even a notice to take your deposition.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 10 May 2023
The objection also said Alabama law restricts questions, or interrogatories, to 40 without the court’s permission to go beyond that limit.
—Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 20 Apr. 2023
In the district court, Clinton was ordered to respond to interrogatories.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 14 Apr. 2020
Along those lines, various persons in Williamson’s orbit could be forced to answer questions in depositions and through interrogatories.
—Michael McCann, SI.com, 22 Aug. 2019
During it, Brown and Taylor would be required to answer questions under oath, either in depositions (in-person answers) or interrogatories (written answers).
—Michael McCann, SI.com, 11 Sep. 2019
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Highly personable and ingratiating but with a tough core, Walters withstood critiques about the softness of her interrogatory style with celebrities and sometimes major political figures as well.
—Carmel Dagan, Variety, 30 Dec. 2022
His interrogatory path in our reciprocal dance was not the typical name-rank-serial-number route my heart would have read as a plain vanilla checklist from a communications textbook.
—Chip Bell, Forbes, 12 July 2022
Minister Chiang gave the orderly a long, interrogatory look.
—Elliot Ackerman, Wired, 2 Mar. 2021
But Thornton had also figured out that his character’s power came not from fiercely interrogatory tactics but from apparent empathy and even his warm heart.
—Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 21 Dec. 2017
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Noun
The administration must respond to interrogatories and document production requests and four officials must sit for a deposition by April 23, per the judge’s orders.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
In January, attorneys for the injured woman filed a motion to compel the White Sox and their security to respond to pre-trial interrogatories and documents requests.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
And then the second dinner table scene at the end is much less flattering, much more interrogatory.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 13 Mar. 2025
This might come in the form of a request for production of documents or things, a request for admissions, interrogatories or even a notice to take your deposition.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 10 May 2023
The objection also said Alabama law restricts questions, or interrogatories, to 40 without the court’s permission to go beyond that limit.
—Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 20 Apr. 2023
In the district court, Clinton was ordered to respond to interrogatories.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 14 Apr. 2020
Along those lines, various persons in Williamson’s orbit could be forced to answer questions in depositions and through interrogatories.
—Michael McCann, SI.com, 22 Aug. 2019
During it, Brown and Taylor would be required to answer questions under oath, either in depositions (in-person answers) or interrogatories (written answers).
—Michael McCann, SI.com, 11 Sep. 2019
Adjective
Fortunately, Robert takes a less interrogatory approach with her during their sit-down chat.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Highly personable and ingratiating but with a tough core, Walters withstood critiques about the softness of her interrogatory style with celebrities and sometimes major political figures as well.
—Carmel Dagan, Variety, 30 Dec. 2022
His interrogatory path in our reciprocal dance was not the typical name-rank-serial-number route my heart would have read as a plain vanilla checklist from a communications textbook.
—Chip Bell, Forbes, 12 July 2022
Minister Chiang gave the orderly a long, interrogatory look.
—Elliot Ackerman, Wired, 2 Mar. 2021
But Thornton had also figured out that his character’s power came not from fiercely interrogatory tactics but from apparent empathy and even his warm heart.
—Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 21 Dec. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Interrogatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogatory. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
interrogatory
noun
in·ter·rog·a·to·ry
ˌin-tə-ˈrä-gə-ˌtōr-ē
plural interrogatories
: a written question required by law to be answered under the direction of a court
especially
: a written question directed by one party to another regarding information that is within the scope of discovery see also general verdict and special verdict at verdict, special interrogatory
Note: Interrogatories are widely used as a discovery device in civil procedure and also have limited use in criminal proceedings. An interrogatory may be objected to and does not have to be answered if the court determines that it is excessive or burdensome. An interrogatory may also be submitted by a judge to a jury when the court asks for a general verdict and wants to know the basis of the decision, or when the court requires the jury to return a special verdict.
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