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.
Related Words
Relevance
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
Less than 24 hours after the meetings with Trump, the European Union leaders who were present were in virtual sessions debriefing their counterparts.
—
Brittney Melton, NPR, 20 Aug. 2025
The announcement came just one day after Zelenskyy and several European leaders gathered at the White House to debrief following Trump's high-stakes summit with Putin in Alaska.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Leah, Serena, and JaNa go to Malibu Wines to debrief on recent events.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Once everything is wrapped up, planners can debrief with their clients with a final meeting and move on to the next project.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for debrief
Brittney Melton, NPR, 20 Aug. 2025
The announcement came just one day after Zelenskyy and several European leaders gathered at the White House to debrief following Trump's high-stakes summit with Putin in Alaska.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Leah, Serena, and JaNa go to Malibu Wines to debrief on recent events.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Once everything is wrapped up, planners can debrief with their clients with a final meeting and move on to the next project.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for debrief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debrief
Verb
-
Also starring Denis O'Hare, Zachary Quinto, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Powell, and Patti LuPone, NYC interrogates many thematic threads, but none more so than the illusion of control.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
-
His attorneys pointed out that Dassey had a low IQ bordering on intellectual disability, and questioned law enforcement's interrogation tactics — including allowing the teen to be interrogated without a parent or attorney present.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Canales’ trust in Young growing A week after Dave Canales called a couple of running plays on third-and-long — prompting a veteran coach with another team to question Canales’ faith in his quarterback — Canales was more aggressive with his play calling with the game on the line.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Once Gein's crimes came to light, he was questioned about a number of additional disappearances in the region.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The New Content Economy, examining the evolving landscape of creators, media, and emerging technologies.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Skordeles said some private sources economists examine include freight data from ports and railroads, industry group data from organizations like the National Association of Realtors, and earnings reports from public companies.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debrief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debrief. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share