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 Nester also called into question the security protocols surrounding the event, asking Bagley about how many officers were assigned and other preparations. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026 Shipwrecked includes recordings of a series of increasingly astonishing phone calls between Schettino and the Italian Coast Guard, with the latter repeatedly asking him to clarify the nature of the emergency. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 11 July 2026 Others stay true to more traditional camping, asking you to haul your gear down a short trail, light a wood stove for heat, or share a community bathroom. — Tree Meinch, Midwest Living, 11 July 2026 Bill Gates and Warren Buffett sped things up with their Giving Pledge, asking billionaire signers to give away their money during their lifetimes. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 July 2026 Three national teams asking their fans to cheer in support of these players. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 11 July 2026 Kansas City’s firefighters union says the city has ignored a judge’s order to carry out a 2023 arbitration award and is asking a Jackson County judge to hold the city in contempt. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026 Many women are navigating important life transitions and asking thoughtful questions about what comes next. — Nathaniel Tilton, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Rather than seeking dismissal, however, Navarro is asking the appeals court to decide the case on its merits. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 10 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for asking

Verb

The Average Problem Dines has been running his own experiments with frontier models, asking them to write in distinct styles and then interrogating them about why the output comes back bland.

— Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Investigators sat across from nearly every young child at Skyline – many of whose nascent, swinging legs could not yet reach the ground from their chairs – interrogating them over their missing classmate.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

Definition of interrogating

Verb

The hysteria often comes with a fat dollop of Trumpian imperiousness, not requesting your engagement so much as demanding it.

— Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
The complaint seeks damages, profits from the allegedly infringing work, and an injunction preventing Hatchet from being sold or exhibited, while also requesting that the painting either be turned over to Reemtsen or destroyed.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of requesting

Verb

Merino came on in the 86th minute and scored on his second touch of the match, charging into the box and pouncing after Lammens spilled a rebound of Pau Cubarsí's long shot.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Explosive drones and snipers According to the charging documents, the group allegedly planned to fly small drones laden with explosives near the UFC event, forcing an evacuation.

— Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of charging

Verb

The exhibition incorporates a similar ethos in its very design, with concentric rows of stools inviting discussions which might further activate the works on display.

— Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026
Despite inviting over 1,000 people to her high-profile wedding with Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce, billionaire pop star Taylor Swift snubbed several important people in her life.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 9 July 2026

Definition of inviting

Verb

Blurring the boundaries between reality and delusion, psychological horror explores the mind in all its complexity, often leaving audiences questioning their own perceptions.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
As the collection makes clear, Aviv prefers restless questioning to closure or complacency.

— Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of questioning

Verb

Moreover, despite the faster processing time, the material retains the characteristics required for demanding aerospace applications.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
Originally designed for fighter pilots, the Avenger collection is built for demanding environments where precision and durability are essential, according to the company.

— Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of demanding

Verb

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
The Tennessee Titans went back to the streets quizzing random people in their schedule reveal in a twist to the team’s 2023 schedule reveal.

— Teresa M. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026