interrogatory

noun

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in·ter·rog·a·to·ry | \ ˌin-tə-ˈrä-gə-ˌtȯr-ē

plural interrogatories

Definition of interrogatory

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a formal question or inquiry especially : a written question required to be answered under direction of a court

interrogatory

adjective

Definition of interrogatory (Entry 2 of 2)

: interrogative

Examples of interrogatory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun 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 The result threw a spotlight on special interrogatories, a common feature in civil trials, according to veteran lawyers. — Dan Hinkel, chicagotribune.com, 29 June 2018 This vetting will include interrogatories, a public hearing and an evidentiary hearing. — Allan Vought, The Aegis, 28 June 2018 If strong enough to survive those first interrogatories, they will be interviewed by an asylum officer who will run a rough interview that emphasizes preventing fraud and often mistakenly determines that a person shouldn't receive asylum. — Luis Mancheno, CBS News, 8 June 2018 Blomquist, represented by Milwaukee attorney Robert A. Levine, also hit the plaintiffs with a flood of interrogatories and requests for documents. — Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 29 May 2018 The city refused to answer any interrogatories where certain records were not preserved. — Todd Lighty, chicagotribune.com, 15 May 2018 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective 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 See More

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

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Cite this Entry

“Interrogatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrogatory. Accessed 29 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for interrogatory

interrogatory

noun

in·ter·rog·a·to·ry | \ ˌin-tə-ˈrä-gə-ˌtōr-ē

plural interrogatories

Legal Definition of interrogatory

: 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.