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 During a recent town hall at the Ivy League school, one student raised the question of a Greek life ban, asking student organizers if taking that step might improve the culture on campus. — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 Someone wants to hike; someone else would rather browse antique shops; a few people are already asking what’s for dinner. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026 Coleman recommends keeping virtual calls brief, limiting attendance to those who need to participate and asking whether a video call is even necessary in the first place. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The Buss family is asking a superior court judge to dismiss Jeanie Buss’ petition to block Lakers share sale. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Since the advent of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022, the list of possible indicators that the AI boom was about to go bust is long and keeps getting longer, leaving Wall Street asking each time if the end is finally near. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 Smaller experiments might include briefly leaving the phone at home, or making a low-stakes decision without asking others for reassurance. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 And asking them to engage with new software could be harmful. — Lissa Soep, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026 That shift is changing how doctors think about screening, prevention and who should be asking sharper questions at their next appointment. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for asking

Verb

At least one copy fell into the hands of the Gestapo, which was hunting for Seghers and interrogating her associates.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
It was framed around these trials that were interrogating Founding Fathers, religious belief[s], and stuff like this.

— Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of interrogating

Verb

The district attorney’s office is requesting a jury trial and the two cases are expected to be consolidated for a single trial, according to WTAE.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
The White House did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment Sunday night.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of requesting

Verb

Homicide detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Gurinder Gill with murder.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The top edge houses the power button, and the bottom edge features a USB-C port for charging and file transfer, along with a microSD card tray slot, which is very rare for ereaders and new to the Go 6.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of charging

Verb

For the spring 2027 collection, McGirr fulfilled a dream, inviting the jeweler and former McQueen collaborator, Shaun Leane, to create pieces for the runway for the first time in 16 years.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
By providing clear, consistent and frequent communication about the change, leaders foster a sense of stability and clarity, while inviting everyone’s voice to be heard.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of inviting

Verb

The home’s dissolving interior boundary suits an artist who has spent her career questioning where humans fit within the vastness of space and time.

— Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The hiding place was disclosed by a third suspect during questioning.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of questioning

Verb

Since 2022, postings demanding AI fluency have risen elevenfold, those seeking adaptability fivefold, and those requiring resilience, curiosity and willingness to learn threefold.

— Eric Kutcher, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
According to Reuters on Friday, 141 schools remained closed while students continued demanding broader reforms.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 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