ASKING Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

asking

verb

present participle of ask

as in interrogating

to put a question or questions to my coworkers asked me all about my trip to Machu Picchu

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in requesting

to make a request of ask the salesclerk for assistance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in charging

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in inviting

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

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 asking Missouri is asking the Supreme Court to overturn the state Supreme Court’s blockage of a new congressional map ahead of the November general election. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026 But asking whether the problem is useful is the wrong question, Verhoeff argues. — Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2026 Vasarhelyi, seemingly a less hands-on presence in this project, voices a few more misgivings, at one stage pointedly asking her husband how many people who have previously been guests at their dinner table are now dead. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 Said’s lawyers filed a request with the court Friday to drop Gutman as a defendant, Lawyers for Said did not respond to an email asking why the request was made. — Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 The Kansas City Police Department is asking the public’s help locate a man who was reported missing Friday evening. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2026 By automatically enrolling employees into workplace savings plans, including HSAs, employers aim to remove the friction that generally comes from asking employees to opt in voluntarily — and, ideally, boost participation among workers. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026 Continue reading … HANDS OFF — Harris gives surprising response to Dems asking her to 'stay away' from races. — FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Kituwah claims the loan has accrued about $600,000 in interest and is asking a jury to determine damages. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for asking

Verb

Jacobsen, after interrogating scientific and security experts around the world, has imagined an accident at a Siberian lab that launches a runaway outbreak.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 19 Aug. 2026
Fort Worth house The episode opens with Kyle (Thad Luckinbill) interrogating Oleksandra (Elizaveta Neretin) about the attack at Joe’s house.

— Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of interrogating

Verb

The Florida Supreme Court last week denied Conahan's final appeals, including one requesting additional testing on DNA collected from the victim.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
O’Connell specifically recommends requesting a pre-move-out inspection so the landlord can flag problems while there’s still time to fix them.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of requesting

Verb

Of the 806 new public fast-charging stations added nationwide in the second quarter of this year, roughly 1 in 7 were in California — by far the most of any state, according to a report from Paren, an EV charging data and analytics platform.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Following the mistrial declaration, some legal experts suggested that the prosecution aimed too high in charging Clancy with first-degree murder, noting a lower charge, such as second-degree murder or manslaughter, might have won over the jury.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of charging

Verb

Coca‑Cola is inviting the world to celebrate the real magic of humanity.

— Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Even before the advent of these AI systems, the shockingly poor state of national and municipal cyberdefenses made American critical infrastructure an inviting target.

— Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of inviting

Verb

Missouri Supreme Court judges, while questioning a state attorney representing Hoskins, repeatedly pressed for Hoskins to send out guidance Thursday to use the 2022 version of the congressional districts.

— DAVID A. LIEB, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
Economists balked at the proposal, questioning whether any future Congress, regardless of party control, would pass a plan that would balloon the national debt and annual deficit.

— Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of questioning

Verb

The first game back from the international break at Sunderland on October 10 launches a demanding schedule of at least 17 games in 71 days, including six fixtures in the group phase of the Conference League.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The office also is the target of federal subpoena by a grand jury that was issued demanding a broad spate of documents about spending while Sierra was treasurer, use of P-cards and the municipal employees retirement fund.

— Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of demanding

Verb

Indeed, the movie opens with Ed quizzing an older Greek man he’s befriended on the Belgian designer Ann Demeulemeester, before berating him for confusing his Bottega Veneta loafers for Sebago.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Prosecutors spent the start of George’s testimony quizzing him on the organizational structure of the sheriff’s office, as well as how internal affairs investigations play out.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026