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

This self-interrogating method makes for a nervy, difficult style.

— Langdon Hammer, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
In addition, Homeland Security was apparently investigating nonprofits and other organizations that help get out the vote, including interrogating the staff and covertly infiltrating their operations, according to court documents.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of interrogating

Verb

The Department of Justice has sued California requesting the state set aside some 20,000 ballots the federal government has flagged as being potentially from noncitizens.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
The crew had reported light clear ice and moderate turbulence while flying at about 35,000 feet before requesting permission to climb to 37,000 feet.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of requesting

Verb

Florida has had a tortured relationship with this Biden-era money, originally intended to bolster states’ public charging networks for electric cars.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
There were heiress ghosts and cat ghosts and soldier ghosts charging through forests.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of charging

Verb

The company tries to make that connection real by inviting people in.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
The Value of Cooking The act of cooking the food is also considered an important ritual during Dia de los Muertos as a way of calling in or inviting your ancestors to make the journey from the afterlife to join with family still living human life.

— Zayda Rivera, Parents, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of inviting

Verb

But the New Mexico secretary of state's office received reports of DOJ monitors asking unusual questions and questioning voters in Bernalillo County, which is home to Albuquerque.

— Miles Parks, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Miller, who prosecuted the case back in 2004 and 2005, sent Fernandez Rundle texts questioning her office’s handling of the case and denigrating the judge presiding over Smith’s resentencing.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of questioning

Verb

But protests started almost immediately with people blocking traffic every day across the country at the exact time of the collapse and demanding justice.

— MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Germany regains calm after unrest More than 100,000 mostly young people protested peacefully across Germany on Saturday, demanding that the government invest more money in education, housing, climate protection and make daily life more affordable.

— Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 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