query 1 of 2

Definition of querynext

query

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb query contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of query are ask, inquire, interrogate, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When might ask be a better fit than query?

In some situations, the words ask and query are roughly equivalent. However, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

When can inquire be used instead of query?

While in some cases nearly identical to query, inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

In what contexts can interrogate take the place of query?

The synonyms interrogate and query are sometimes interchangeable, but interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

Where would question be a reasonable alternative to query?

The words question and query are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

How does the verb query contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of query are ask, inquire, interrogate, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When might ask be a better fit than query?

In some situations, the words ask and query are roughly equivalent. However, ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

When can inquire be used instead of query?

While in some cases nearly identical to query, inquire implies a searching for facts or for truth often specifically by asking questions.

began to inquire of friends and teachers what career she should pursue

In what contexts can interrogate take the place of query?

The synonyms interrogate and query are sometimes interchangeable, but interrogate suggests formal or official systematic questioning.

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

Where would question be a reasonable alternative to query?

The words question and query are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, question usually suggests the asking of series of questions.

questioned them about every detail of the trip

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of query
Noun
The Ukrainian government then runs a search query, and replies with whether the subject is in Ukrainian captivity, has been confirmed dead, has been returned to Russia in a prisoner exchange, or is not included in any of those databases. Sophie Spiegelberger, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026 DeepSeek’s operation targeted reasoning capabilities across diverse tasks and the creation of censorship-safe alternatives to policy-sensitive queries, while Moonshot aimed at agentic reasoning and tool use, as well as coding and data analysis, Anthropic said. Reuters, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
The company helps its clients connect their data with AI models to launch custom agents, in addition to providing tools for storing, processing and querying data. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026 Patients upload records, clinicians query medical literature and organizations layer AI atop legacy systems. Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for query
Recent Examples of Synonyms for query
Noun
  • Because there is little doubt that Canadiens management sees what their coach sees, and what anyone watching their team sees.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • There are also significant doubts there are enough Navy ships to escort commercial vessels, given that 60 or more tankers typically traverse the strait each day.
    Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Representatives for Universal did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment on Horner's potential involvement.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Leake did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But Staley, the incumbent sheriff, has questioned his lack of law enforcement experience.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
  • The commissioners who appointed her should be forced to defend their appointee or question her judgment — one or the other.
    Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Minear replies coyly when asked a question that assumes Dixie and Buck went home together.
    Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Don’t let anyone stop you from asking questions, but do pay attention to the answers.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Abdelrahman says he was once interrogated by RSF fighters, while several of his colleagues have been robbed at knifepoint.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Next, law enforcement must rigorously interrogate the men and women who exchanged chummy emails with Epstein and played in his hideous sandbox.
    Amy Wallace, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Weiss took the recent Iranian protests seriously, asking staff during one morning call if the new round of protests could be the wave that topples the regime, leading to skepticism from some journalists in London.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
  • By Saturday, those details hadn’t emerged — despite ongoing skepticism about Cuba’s narrative.
    Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The seven faculty members and administrators who approved his fall course declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries by the Herald/Times.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Following inquiries from media services asking for further information, the LaSalle Police Service issued a follow-up Thursday.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Artificial intelligence systems do not possess human intelligence and therefore should not be granted rights or protections reserved for people, as evidenced by the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a case challenging the requirement that copyrightable works must have human authorship.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Others, like Gabriel Padilla, would rather stay and challenge the restrictions rather than leave their lifelong home.
    David Williams, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Query.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/query. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

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