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 Courts can also review objective legal questions, such as whether the evidence was sufficient — as Clancy’s lawyer is now asking the judge to do. — Monu Bedi, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 New Jersey’s attorney general petitioned the Supreme Court, asking the justices to step in. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026 Ahead of King Harald’s funeral this week, some Norwegians are asking why women must cover their faces while men can grieve openly. — Filippo Iarocci, Vanity Fair, 19 Sep. 2026 The messages go from just asking to here’s-who-we-work-with to let’s-get-on-the-phone to a URL link that allows artists to evaluate their own catalog’s worth. — Michaelangelo Matos, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2026 The Center is asking the public to steer clear of the mammal. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026 Garg is asking shareholders to remove five of Better’s eight directors, including Lewis and board chairman Talwar. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026 The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to call the GBI Office of Special Investigations at (404) 239-2106 or the agency's tip line 1-800-597-8477. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 But asking whether the problem is useful is the wrong question, Verhoeff argues. — Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for asking

Verb

For Frankfurt, as for Murdoch, the work of being human involves interrogating the motives and assumptions that guide our actions, asking whether our desires are truly desirable.

— Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
Fielder and Oppenheim have created a fascinating portrait of a relationship, decimating notions of objectivity in documentary while also interrogating the limits of fiction.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of interrogating

Verb

Earlier that month, Greg Rogers, chief fiscal officer for the Education Department, said the department waited before requesting additional funds to determine how many students would actually use the accounts they were approved to receive.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
Schumer and Padilla on Sunday sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin requesting more information about the initiative and demanding that it be stopped.

— Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of requesting

Verb

The battery lasts up to five hours on a single charge and 30 hours total with the charging case, giving them plenty of juice to last throughout the day.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
Saad Almoraisi was also charged in connection with two warrants charging him with sale of cannabis and possession of cannabis, as well as two warrants accusing him of failure to pay or plea to infractions.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of charging

Verb

The Moon enters Capricorn and your playful 5th house, inviting you toward hobbies, romance, creativity, and pleasure.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Two weeks after its short run ended, word got around, and Jaques received an out-of-the blue call from Sky’s then managing director of content (and later CEO of Sky Studios) Gary Davey, inviting him in for a chat.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of inviting

Verb

The panel’s findings led to a surge of media interest in the UK and around the world questioning the strength of the prosecution’s case.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
Leaders should continue questioning whether the way their business operates still makes sense for where the company is today.

— Dmitriy Schwarzburg, Forbes.com, 14 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