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
Chapman, who worked long hours debriefing Marquez over the years and shepherded his grand jury testimony, grew emotional while talking about Marquez’s qualities as a wonky engineer who could talk endlessly about the inner workings of the ComEd’s electrical grid.
—
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Since there wasn’t a turret meeting last night, Lisa, Candiace, and Rob are first to breakfast the next morning to give them a chance to debrief (and for Lisa to yell at Rob for voting against her).
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Editor Joyce Eng discuss the new name for the SAG Awards, the Actor Awards, and Gerrad debriefs on the Governors Awards.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Health care workers may dip into depression and substance abuse, and Rau seeks to counter that by debriefing his staff after tragedies and encouraging them to reach out to one another.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debrief
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Since there wasn’t a turret meeting last night, Lisa, Candiace, and Rob are first to breakfast the next morning to give them a chance to debrief (and for Lisa to yell at Rob for voting against her).
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Editor Joyce Eng discuss the new name for the SAG Awards, the Actor Awards, and Gerrad debriefs on the Governors Awards.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Health care workers may dip into depression and substance abuse, and Rau seeks to counter that by debriefing his staff after tragedies and encouraging them to reach out to one another.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debrief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debrief
Verb
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While on the stand, Texas Ranger Job Espinoza, the lead investigator who was with Horner when Athena's body was located and interrogated him after his arrest, testified that Horner had told him Athena’s underwear was still on her body, according to FOX 4.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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Geiser said the organization was made aware of reports that federal authorities interrogated Wang before his death.—
Elaine Rojas-Castillo,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Don't hurt me … Terry Rose was immediately transported to the police department where Wilson and Tamayo were waiting to question him.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Butler said on Friday that police were questioning Brian Hooker on a potential charge of causing harm resulting in death.—
Adam Sabes , Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Let’s examine their specs, strengths, weaknesses and differences, along with how Edmunds’ car experts rated them overall and in specific categories.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Season 2 will give viewers further, unrivalled insight into the lives of strong female leaders who ruled during key times in global history and examine the long-lasting impact their decisions had on those periods.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debrief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debrief. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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