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 The union is asking SCUSD to appeal the decision to California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 In the wake of Hugging Face, businesses are not only asking how to defend themselves against adversaries but also confronting the stark reality that AI systems designed to safeguard their networks could also turn up in unexpected places. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026 Analysts say Wiener is not asking voters to abandon progressive politics, but to judge government by its performance. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026 Veteran reliever Ryne Stanek, a likely trade candidate himself, told MLB Network that teammates are asking about potential moves. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 And what this administration is asking us to do now is to turn our backs on them completely. — Chiara Eisner, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026 Saturn stations retrograde in your 2nd House of Resources, asking you to review spending, earning, values, and the cost of saying yes too easily. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for asking

Verb

Consumers are becoming increasingly comfortable interrogating formulations rather than simply admiring them, and that changes the relationship between brand and buyer in ways the industry is only beginning to understand.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
But the filmmaker proves more interested in interrogating that ethos than recreating it, and few horror mythologies are better suited to exploring betrayal and regret than one built around the refusal to let the dead remain dead.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026

Definition of interrogating

Verb

Environmental Protection Information Center, the group that filed the San Francisco lawsuit, did not respond to emails requesting comment.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Ontario International Airport Authority Ontario Airport officials said that federal agents were also on the premises on Tuesday with subpoenas requesting documents related to airport contracts.

— Zach Boetto, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of requesting

Verb

Allen was blanketed in coverage, a linebacker in front of him and a safety charging from behind.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
The charging document also cited one of the many messages Dumarce sent to Cole, including some previously cited by Cole that included threats with pictures of her children.

— Margaret Baker, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of charging

Verb

Instead, the tuna was thawing in the packaging, inviting bad bacteria growth, in the reach-in cooler.

— David J. Neal July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Three months into her unemployment, Peralta Hernandez started the Sacramento Walk Club, inviting women around town to join her on twice-weekly walks — on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of inviting

Verb

An appeal, on the other hand, can only consider evidence that’s already in the record and is typically filed when a defendant is questioning a judge’s decision.

— Alex Brizee July 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
Al-Ahli released an atypical official statement questioning the officiating of one game in April.

— Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of questioning

Verb

The goal is to move away from demanding that individual employees act as isolated heroes and instead build communities that normalize supportive behaviors.

— Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Investors are demanding stronger profits after initially accepting a steep drop from Niccol’s in-store investments.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 26 July 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