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 After the shooting took place, the university issued a statement on X asking members of its campus community to stay away from the area. — Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026 The neurologist emphasized that patients should feel comfortable asking questions and getting a second opinion. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Both organizations are asking the court for permission to join the case as defendants. — Hugh Son, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 The State Department did not respond to several requests from the Herald asking about the flights. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 When Kim finally followed me on Instagram, people started sending messages asking me to get their clothing lines to her. — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 NetChoice is asking a judge to prevent the law from going into effect. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 But there is an enormous difference between asking your allies to shoulder more responsibility and telling them that your promise to defend them might be worthless. — Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for asking

Verb

The Kings note the episode is interested in interrogating the cult of the tech mogul, specifically examining how figures operate outside of traditional ethics.

— Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Flores is accused of participating in decisions to torture prisoners and helping oversee a network of officials responsible for detaining and interrogating people perceived as threats to the government.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of interrogating

Verb

Fuel expenses are squeezing daily household budgets and tightening cash flow toward the end of the month, with reports indicating a growing number of French employees are requesting payroll advances to manage month end expenses.

— , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
After his arrest, Alfozan refused to speak to the FBI, requesting his attorney.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of requesting

Verb

As of Thursday morning, the government had filed charging documents in 10 of the 28 cases, offering additional details about how authorities relied on voter registration data to pursue broader criminal charges around immigration status.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
The release did not specify the vessel’s operating range, charging time, service speed, or construction schedule.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of charging

Verb

One bill sent to the governor lifts some restrictions for public university and college board members to join, inviting more qualified candidates.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
At night, the Sycamore trees glow with lantern light, inviting guests to indulge in late night cocktails and conversation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of inviting

Verb

That year, after Israeli officials castigated Qatar for allegedly financing Hamas, the Qataris began demanding formal documentation of an arrangement the two governments had agreed was meant to provide relief to citizens of the beleaguered enclave.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
In addition to the return of her property, Omar's attorneys are demanding that the Justice Department preserve any audio and video that was taken during the search, according to the letter.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 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