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 If her fellow cast members were debriefed about her dismissal or gossiped amongst themselves, it was not shown onscreen. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 1 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for debrief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debrief
  1. interrogate
  2. question
  3. examine
Verb
  • Maybe that’s the point — the film seeks to interrogate Mark’s narcissism — but every interaction feels like it’s been flattened into a series of predictable accusations instead of something that might provoke surprise or reflection.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Intelligence officers transported him to a camp controlled by Colombia’s FARC guerrilla organization, where he was interrogated and tortured over approximately two days, according to the charges.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of interrogate
Verb
  • Reactions, however, ranged from pure fascination and respect for his 12-year project to critics questioning whether Tomlin, who parted ways with the Steelers in January of this year, had devoted too much time to his virtual city.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Allegations raise concerns over sensitive Chinese data Chinese regulators have reportedly questioned domestic AI developers following Anthropic’s allegations.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of question
Verb
  • But seeing my parents examining themselves in that way and connecting with people and putting themselves in vulnerable and silly and meaningful situations.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • And now Snider found himself here, under a bright, blue sky, annoyed as a fireman examined the staples on the side of his head.
    — Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 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 12 Oct. 2026.

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