1
as in to interrogate
to put a question or questions to my coworkers asked me all about my trip to Machu Picchu

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to charge
to set or receive as a price they are only asking $300 for that antique grandfather clock

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in to invite
to request the presence or participation of a fixture on the party circuit, that couple is always asking people over for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ask contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ask are inquire, interrogate, query, and question. While all these words mean "to address a person in order to gain information," ask implies no more than the putting of a question.

ask for directions

In what contexts can inquire take the place of ask?

The words inquire and ask are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When would interrogate be a good substitute for ask?

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

the prosecutor interrogated the witness all day

When might query be a better fit than ask?

The words query and ask can be used in similar contexts, but query implies a desire for authoritative information or confirmation.

queried a librarian about the book

When is question a more appropriate choice than ask?

Although the words question and ask have much in common, 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 ask Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025 Kimmel asked his audience on Tuesday. Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025 Even my college friends couldn't resist making crude jokes or asking immature questions about the surgery. MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 And at The Tennessean, Executive Editor Ben Goad asked me to dive into murder. Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ask
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ask
Verb
  • Instead of letting our legs carry us aimlessly down the road with our minds interrogating every step, our thumbs pose too simple a question to which our smartphones are pleased to give us too simple an answer.
    Paul Greenberg, Time, 20 Sep. 2025
  • But Fastvold, the partner and creative collaborator of The Brutalist director Brady Corbet—she co-wrote both that film and Corbet’s previous movie, Vox Lux—also interrogates the idea of spirituality as a lifeline.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The department has requested copies of voter rolls, often with nonpublic information like partial Social Security numbers, from dozens of states.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
  • An online form to request City Hall light displays lists red, blue, orange, purple, yellow, white and green as options.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Fremont Hotel & Casino typically offers free valet parking for guests, but may charge on some occasions like special events.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
  • They’ve have each been charged with 20 counts of stalking in the first degree and 20 counts of witness intimidation in a criminal case, according to a complaint obtained by the Idaho Statesman.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The two-way contract candidates on Miami’s preseason roster are forward Dain Dainja, guard Trevor Keels, guard Ethan Thompson and guard Jahmir Young, who are all signed to Exhibit 10 training camp invite deals.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Tranquility reigns here, inviting you to truly relax and find peace.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • He's questioned his online presence, fearful of feeding the habits of those struggling with screen addiction.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Fireworks spouted directly beyond the stage where the president and others spoke, which had online critics questioning the need for them.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Senate Democrats are using a rare moment of political leverage to demand that the funding bill reverse looming cuts to Medicaid and lapsing Obamacare subsidies.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Millions of people across more than 150 countries participated in the demonstrations, demanding urgent action to address climate change.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Eyeball’s best moment so far this season was when the twerpy CEO was quizzing it on the next three numbers of pi.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Egan quizzed the custodian on the relationship.
    Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ask.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ask. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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