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 pair handed Haski business cards, emblazoned with golden eagles, and then started interrogating him about press freedom.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 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

According to a statement from the Winter Park Police Department, officers were contacted by a soccer league official requesting a response to a disturbance between the parents of a player and league staff.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The company filed a complaint to the European Commission in May requesting an anti-dumping probe into Chinese imports of the active ingredient used in the antibiotic amoxicillin.

— Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 27 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

When staff offered these alternative spaces, players and parents responded by questioning the overall equity of the situation.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
State security prosecutors summoned Attalah for questioning last week on charges of publishing false news and operating without a license, then referred her to trial on the latter charge.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of questioning

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