debrief

verb

Definition of debriefnext
as in to interrogate
to officially ask (someone) about a job that has been done or about an experience Police debriefed the hostages upon their return. The pilot was debriefed after his flight.

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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 debrief The final clip features Knoxville and Tremaine sitting on a motel bed, debriefing after a particularly dangerous stunt. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 The system should help managers understand what the data means, debrief the results, identify business implications, build action plans, recommend stakeholders and track behavior change over time. — Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 Ben tells João about his argument with Daisy, and João suggests the three of them have a head of department (HOD) dinner that night, to debrief and reset. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026 Fox said Williams was debriefed in September 2015 and signed a nondisclosure agreement. — Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debrief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debrief
  1. interrogate
  2. question
  3. examine
Verb
  • The brothers’ previous films included 2021’s Camp Confidential, about European Jews who found asylum in America after fleeing Nazi Europe, enlisted in the Army, and interrogated Nazi war criminals at a secret camp.
    — Marisa Fox, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026
  • Along these routes, the bulldozers piled up mounds to enclose fortified compounds, military outposts and detention facilities where Palestinians were interrogated and tortured.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of interrogate
Verb
  • Rather than questioning Tuchel’s right to criticise, Kane took his manager’s side.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • In past hearings, Paul has frequently questioned the former White House medical adviser about bat coronavirus research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026
Definition of question
Verb
  • The deputies responded to the scene in personal work trucks rather than the department’s bomb truck and Osborn improperly examined the grenade and falsely reported it inert, according to the complaint.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
  • The advocacy group Innocence Project encountered Smith while examining prison admission dates.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
Definition of examine

Browse Nearby Words

debonair
debrief
debriefed
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Cite this Entry

“Debrief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debrief. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on debrief

Nglish: Translation of debrief for Spanish Speakers

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