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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Recent Examples of debrief
Some of us are going to be telling stories (gesturing to Flowers and Morrison) and some of us are going to be speaking with the village elders about how to make your life better (gesturing to Shepard and Robbins), and some of us are going to be trying to debrief about the news of the day.
—
Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
Dinner is a fun time for travelers to debrief about the day before getting prepped for the next day.
—Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
For Morgan, making a video at the end of the day, debriefing all aspects of the long, grueling days of recruitment, was never going to be a polished piece of content.
—Tabitha Parent, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Importantly, there was no significant difference in recovery between people who were debriefed and those who were not.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debrief
Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
Dinner is a fun time for travelers to debrief about the day before getting prepped for the next day.
—Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
For Morgan, making a video at the end of the day, debriefing all aspects of the long, grueling days of recruitment, was never going to be a polished piece of content.
—Tabitha Parent, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Importantly, there was no significant difference in recovery between people who were debriefed and those who were not.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debrief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debrief
Verb
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Obsessed with this Russian Jewish queen interrogating Robby about his single status.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
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In the wake of her murder -- and without forensic evidence or new leads -- hundreds of Black men were detained and interrogated, according to The Innocence Project.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The agency added that one individual is being questioned as the investigation continues.—
Hunter Geisel,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
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Friends question her sanity and stability, and Helen loses herself further inside her mounting grief.—
Adam Graham,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Therapists And The Role Of AI I have been extensively identifying and examining the myriad ways that AI enters into the role of professional therapists.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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To answer the question, scientists are examining whether the major outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah, Arizona, and Texas were linked.—
Amy Maxmen,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debrief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debrief. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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